The Boston Globe‘s Mac Daniel reports today that the state-appointed, 13-member Transportation Finance Commission "urged the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and [Governor Mitt] Romney administration to slow plans to abolish tolls on the turnpike west of Route 128." More from the article:
[Chairman Stephen J.] Silveira said the commission views the issue as important enough to warrant a statement prior to the release of its full report on how the state should pay for expanding and repairing the state’s transportation system. Many on the commission say the report will be ignored after Tuesday’s election, especially if a Democratic administration takes over.
The Turnpike Authority board tentatively voted Oct. 18 to end the tolls on June 30, promising savings to thousands of commuters.
The plan also calls for about 200 toll collectors to be laid off and for taxpayers to take on the cost of running and maintaining the turnpike from Weston to Springfield.
The Turnpike Authority board is seeking legal and financial advice before its planned final approval of the proposal on Nov. 15, when the financing commission also plans to meet.
