Gov. Lamont Proposes 14 Tolls: Here's Where He Wants To Put Them

HARTFORD, CT — Earlier this year, Gov. Ned Lamont sought to secure approval from lawmakers to place 50 tolls across Connecticut in an effort to generate revenue for the dilapidated bridges and roads in Connecticut.

Support for tolls never materialized and the proposal went nowhere, but undeterred, Lamont is back with a significantly scaled back tolls plan that he hopes will pass muster with lawmakers.

Lamont will officially unveil the specifics of his new transportation plan at a 1:30 p.m. press conference Thursday at reSET Social Enterprise Trust in Hartford, but details of the plan have been trickling out over the past 48 hours.

Lamont’s newest transportation infrastructure proposal includes toll operation at 14 bridges with the intent of fixing traffic bottlenecks on highways, according to media reports. The proposal totals $21 billion over 10 years.

The Hartford Courant reports that prices would be between 40 and 80 cents for cars with a Connecticut E-Z Pass. The rate would be higher for mid and large-size trucks and out-of-state EZ-Pass holders. Money raised from the tolls would go toward paying low-interest federal loans for infrastructure improvements. Five percent of the toll money collected would go to the the town where a toll gantry is located.

Where Would The 14 Tolls Go?

Projects would include multiple parts of I-95 extending from Stamford to Groton, multiple spots on I-84 and several other locations, according to the CT Mirror.

The 14 tolls would specifically be placed along Interstate 95 in Stamford, Norwalk, West Haven, East Lyme, and the Gold Star Bridge, reports WFSB 3 TV.

Additionally, tolls would be added to Interstate 84 in Newtown, Waterbury, West Hartford and the Charter Oak Bridge. Tolls would also be placed on Route 8 in Waterbury, Route 9 in Middletown, I-684 in Greenwich, the Merritt Parkway in Norwalk and I-395 in Plainfield, WFSB 3 adds.

Quick Reaction To New Tolls Plan

Hearst Connecticut interviewed some local leaders where tolls are planned and the reaction was mixed. Newtown First Selectman Daniel Rosenthal, who said he hasn't been briefed on the specifics of the plan, told Hearst that tolls in general is a "terrible idea."

State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, told Hearst that he will support the tolls plan and the state needs to address the terrible condition of roads.

State Rep. Vinnie Candelora told WFSB 3 TV that "The public has already been taxed to death, and so tolls is just not a real appealing solution for the state of Connecticut."

The Evolution of Several Lamont Tolls Plans

Tolling in Connecticut has been a whirlwind of proposals that haven’t gained enough traction for a legislative vote. Lamont campaigned on truck-only tolls, but said after he was elected they wouldn’t bring in enough money to solve the state’s transportation woes and they could face legal challenges from the trucking industry. Tolls weren’t passed in the regular session and then legislators weren’t called to a special session over the summer. It remains to be seen if there will be any special session before the legislature convenes in February.

Republican legislators have been steadfast in their opposition to tolling in any form in the past. State Senate Republican leader Len Fasano said over the summer that skepticism from tolls is due to a lack of trust in state government.

One of the previous proposals called for 50 toll gantries on I-95, I-84, I-91 and Route 15 with a cost of 5.5 cents per mile for those with a frequent commuter and state EZ-Pass discount.

Republican legislative leadership has pitched a Prioritize Progress plan that focuses state bonding on transportation infrastructure upgrades. Lamont has criticized the plan as putting projects on the state’s credit card.