Title 42
State Affairs and Government

Chapter 13.1
The Rhode Island Bridge Replacement, Reconstruction, and Maintenance Fund

§ 42-13.1-4. Authority to collect tolls on large commercial trucks only.

(a) The department is hereby authorized to fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls for the privilege of traveling on Rhode Island bridges to provide for replacement, reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of Rhode Island bridges. The tolls shall be fixed after conducting a cost-benefit analysis and providing an opportunity for public comment. The tolls shall be collected on large commercial trucks only and shall not be collected on any other vehicle; provided, however, no vehicle shall be tolled other than a tractor or truck tractor as defined in 23 C.F.R. 658.5, pulling a trailer or trailers. No act authorizing tolls on passenger vehicles pursuant to this chapter shall take effect until it has been approved by the majority of those electors voting in a statewide referendum. The secretary of state shall certify the results of the statewide referendum. Tolls on large commercial trucks may be implemented utilizing all-electric toll collection methodologies on a cash-less basis, or utilizing any other methodologies determined by the department.

(b) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the department will establish a program to limit the assessment of the tolls upon the same individual large commercial truck using a RFID to once per toll facility, per day in each direction, or an equivalent frequency use program based upon individual large commercial truck use.

(c) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the total amount of tolls imposed upon the same individual large commercial truck using a RFID for making a border-to-border through trip on Route 95 Connecticut to Route 95 Massachusetts, or the reverse, shall not exceed twenty dollars ($20.00).

(d) Subject to § 42-13.1-14, the daily maximum amount of the tolls collected upon the same individual large commercial truck using a RFID shall not exceed forty dollars ($40.00).

(e) Tolls shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any commission, board, bureau, agency, or official of the state or any municipality or other political subdivision of the state except the department.