Connecticut State Bond Commission approves governor’s tolling study

Despite opposition from Republican lawmakers and some Democrats in Connecticut, the State Bond Commission has approved funding for Gov. Dannel Malloy’s $10 million toll study. The study will assess possible electronic tolling on Interstates 95, 91 and 84.

On Wednesday, July 25, the State Bond Commission in Connecticut approved allocations for the Bureau of Engineering and Highway Operations, which includes the $10 million toll study ordered by the governor on July 17.

During the meeting, Rep. Christopher Davis, R-Ellington, made a motion to amend the item financing “the Interstate Highway Program, including tolling studies” from $13 million to $3.76 million and that references to tolling studies be removed. Sen Scott Frantz, R-Greenwich, seconded the motion. The motion was denied.

Financing for the highway program, including the toll study, was passed 6-3, with Davis, Franz and Comptroller Kevin Lembo voting against. Lembo is a Democrat who had indicated earlier in the week that he would vote against financing the toll study. State Treasurer Denise Nappier, also a Democrat, abstained.

The executive order directs the Connecticut Department of Transportation to assess possible tolling on Interstates 95, 91, 84; the Wilbur Cross Parkway; the Merritt Parkway; and other limited-access highways. Malloy also wants the DOT to explore plans that could reduce fuel taxes.

Sen. Joe Markley, a Republican from Southington who is running for lieutenant governor and opposes the toll plan, previously told Land Line that the state has already conducted three toll studies since 2015, and has already spent millions in similar studies. According to local media reports at the time, the state has spent more than $3.28 million on studying congestion tolling on I-95 and I-84 alone.