New Hampshire lawmakers approve planned changes to toll collection

The New Hampshire legislature has reached agreement on the latest version of the state’s 10-year transportation plan. The transportation funding blueprint is updated every two years.

The latest strategy sent to the governor’s desk would authorize the state Department of Transportation to move forward with plans to eliminate toll booths on the state’s turnpike system in favor of all-electronic tolling.

Supporters say improvements to the Dover and Rochester toll plazas are scheduled to begin soon. Instead of investing millions into facilities that will soon be obsolete, they said the state would be better served to modernize toll collection and do away with the plazas.

Estimates provided to state lawmakers show that all-electronic toll facilities would be nearly one-fourth the cost of toll plazas.

Toll collection at Bedford on the F.E. Everett Turnpike would also be shifted to all-electronic tolling.

In addition, a plan included in the bill would set up a committee to study the removal of tolls along the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack.

The plan includes the completion of widening Interstate 93 in the state’s southern tier. In addition, a long-proposed exit off I-93 in Londonderry is planned.

Advocates say the exit would reduce traffic in downtown Derry and would be a boon for economic development in the area with new connector roads.

The House-approved version of HB2018 included a $4 million, federally funded study of commuter rail. Specifically, the provision called for a study of commuter rail linking Manchester and Nashua to Boston.

Senators removed the study provision from the bill, and House lawmakers later agreed to the change.

Critics of the rail plan said the project was too expensive. They cited the estimated $270 million cost for getting the service started, and a required government subsidy to operate. The state would also be responsible for about $5 million in annual costs.

To view other legislative activities of interest for New Hampshire, click here.