Courtney applauds Federal Highway Administration’s rejection of Rhode Island toll proposal

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today applauded the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) rejection of Rhode Island's request to levy tolls on I-95 traffic just across the border from North Stonington. After Rhode Island applied for the pilot program last year, Congressman Courtney wrote to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expressing his strong opposition to and serious concerns about the proposal.

"I am a strong supporter of infrastructure investment, and I understand the challenges facing states today, but Rhode Island's toll proposal would have disproportionately impacted southeastern Connecticut travelers," said Congressman Courtney. "The Federal Highway Administration did the right thing in rejecting Rhode Island's proposal, which would have made existing congestion even worse and wrought havoc on smaller roads as drivers tried to avoid tolls."

Rhode Island had applied for one of three nationwide projects designed to test toll collection as a way to fund road improvements. FHWA today informed Congressman Courtney's office that North Carolina was selected as the third and final participant, effectively rejecting Rhode Island's tolling effort.

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