Executive Council wants to raise the tolls

General Discussion
#1

N.H. Highways Tolls Could Increase, Especially For Out-of-State Drivers

Members of the Executive Council could vote next week on the first broad increase in the state’s highway tolls in more than a decade. The plan would spare in-state commuters the brunt of the hikes. Under a proposal, the cash toll rate on I-93 in Hooksett would go from $1.00 to $1.50. On the Spaulding Turnpike, the Dover and Rochester tolls would rise to $1.00 from $0.75. In Hampton, the Interstate 95 toll would increase from $2.00 to $2.50. EZ Pass users would still enjoy a 30-percent discount. The plan would also give a discount to in-state commuters, who would receive 10 free rides after passing through the tollbooths 40 times during a calendar month.

Sununu opposes toll hike for NH highways

Gov. Chris Sununu said Monday he opposes increasing tolls on New Hampshire highways, his statement coming a week before the Executive Council will meet and consider proposed toll hikes. Executive Councilors are reviewing statewide toll increases proposed by the Department of Transportation that would include raising prices in Hampton on Interstate 95′s main toll from $2 to $2.50 and Hampton’s toll on the exit for Route 101 from 75 cents to $1. Spaulding Turnpike toll costs in Dover and Rochester would rise from 75 cents to $1. Similar hikes are proposed around the state The proposed increases are outlined in a report from the DOT dated Nov. 22, crafted at the request of Executive Councilor Russell Prescott, R-Kingston. They would bring an additional $128.1 million in toll revenue to the state if implemented by March 1, according to the DOT report.

Executive Council pushes for 50 percent hike in N.H. tolls

Executive Councilors are contemplating a 50 percent increase to tolls on New Hampshire roadways – including the plaza on Interstate 93 in Hooksett – in order to fund an acceleration of long-term construction projects. A proposal presented to councilors by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation on Wednesday would raise cash fees at the Hooksett tollbooth from $1 to $1.50, and EZ-Pass charges from 70 cents to $1.05. The Hooksett I-93 ramp, which currently charges 50 cents cash, would increase to 75 cents; other toll areas in Hampton, Dover and Rochester would increase by lower amounts. The pricing scheme, drawn up at the request of Councilor Russell Prescott, R-Kingston, would bring in $36 million in additional revenue a year, the department said.

#2

Terrible. Someone should propose to abolish the tolls instead.

#3

And they’ll just raise fuel taxes or the high enough as it is vehicle registration fees to compensate.

You aren’t forced to take the tollways in NH, so it’s not that big of a deal.

#4

Florida has automatic license plate billing if you take a tollway if you don’t have a transponder. It eliminated human toll booth attendants. That sounds like something you could easily get legislatively banned in NH. You know, to save their jobs or something…lol.

https://www.tollbyplate.com/index

#5

They just did raise the gas tax a dime just a few years ago. Likewise, tolls hurt the people who can least afford it most. I think it’s a pretty big deal. Who gets a 33-50% pay increase in the working world?

EZ Pass transponders has eliminated 50% of the toll takers, the tolls should be going down, not up.

#6

What pisses me off is the discount in Maine for EZ Pass.

It’s half price at the toll, then they have discounts on top of that.

https://ezpassmaineturnpike.com/EZPass/Page.do;jsessionid=0000abM6dFzXexvMl1v02QDRZcZ:-1?id=ezDiscountPlan

Use E-ZPass for all your Turnpike travel — to commute, to shop, traveling to your kids’ games or wherever the road may take you. If you make 30 one-way trips (or 15 round-trips) in a month we’ll credit your account with a 25% rebate. Use your E-ZPass 40 times in one month, and you’ll earn 50% back. *PLEASE NOTE: Only Maine Turnpike trips incurring a toll count toward E-ZPass Discount Plan rebates.

Get an E-ZPass for every driver in your family, and the savings can add up even faster. The E-Z Discount Plan works with up to four devices on your E-ZPass Personal Account!

#7

Hmm.

#8

You shouldn’t be forced into giving the 75 cents to the turnpike authority or to Exxon/Mobil.
Just my opinion.

#9

I guess they could just close down the two higways that exist only because of toll revenue instead of increasing other taxes.

#10

Lots of people in Maine consider Massachusetts to be a boarder state. There isn’t much of a reason to stop in NH for most of them.

I assume most of the traffic on 95 doesn’t stop in NH. Most of those people are in the NH for less than 20 mins. The only way to get that money from those people is with a toll.

#11

They could make heroin legal and start selling it at the NH liquor stores on the interstates.

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#12

The fact is, no amount of money will ever be enough. We need a major downsizing in state, local and mostly the federal government. There’s too many chiefs and the remaining employed indians can’t afford the cost anymore.

#13

They would make so much. Even with weed. The demand is high, and lots of people don’t know where to get it. People are willing to drive hours to get drugs.

#14

That’s true, but tolls are probably how many private roads will work. The tolls on 95 are a pretty good way to get money from people just passing through. It looks like half NH toll revenue comes from 95.

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