Also see: The Big Pit
You know who is in it, don't you, Mass. taxpayers? Now the GREAT LIBERAL GOVERNMENT of Massachusetts wants to STICK IT TO US out here again!!!! And you wonder why I am so POed at them?
"Big hike in tolls for Pike looming; $5 rise at tunnels is one possibility $1 jump posed for elsewhere" by Noah Bierman, Globe Staff | September 26, 2008
STURBRIDGE - Massachusetts Turnpike Authority officials, declaring "there's no tooth fairy" to rescue the beleaguered agency, debated a menu of steep toll hikes yesterday and appeared resigned about passing a price hike in the near future.
In fact, the biggest point of contention was not whether a hike is likely, but when it would be imposed. The board appeared to have the support of the majority of its members to raise tolls enough to reap at least $78 million more a year from tollbooths and tunnels near Boston and another $12 million a year on the western portions of the toll road.
Why do we have to pay of banks for looting us on that piece of crap tunnel?!! It leaks, wasn't built right, built with cheap materials, looting cost overruns, etc, etc.
Why must WE PAY?
That could mean some combination of increases as high as $1 at the Weston and Allston-Brighton tollbooths, where tolls are currently $1.25, or as much as $5 at the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels, where tolls are now $3.50. Most likely, drivers would face a blend of those options, like an increase of 50 cents at the booths and $2.50 at the tunnels. In addition, a majority of board members said they wanted to reinstate tolls for passenger cars on the western turnpike, Exits 1 through 6, and at West Newton - both tolls were eliminated in 1996.
Hate to say it, but can we have Romney back?
Commuters, already burdened by high gas prices and a floundering economy, greeted the prospects with angry sighs when interviewed at the Natick travel plaza yesterday.
Yeah, I'll bet!!!
Alan LeBovidge, executive director of the Turnpike Authority, and Bernard Cohen, transportation secretary and chairman of the turnpike board, said they were continuing to meet with legislators in hopes of finding an alternative, including a larger subsidy to cover the hefty expenses related to the Big Dig. But the state has been struggling with declining revenues and is facing its own budget shortfalls.
Yeah, that thing fucking BURIED US!!!
Also see: Mass. Economy at the Mercy of Wall Street as it Borrows Itself Into Oblivion
The national problems with credit markets could make the pain sharper for turnpike drivers. The authority's financial advisers told board members yesterday that any hopes of refinancing a troubled investment that could cost $2 million per month beginning in January have been stalled because the authority cannot get a loan with favorable terms.
Yup, just CAN'T GET AWAY from the assholes' mess!!!!
The Turnpike Authority needs enough new revenue to maintain the roadway and Big Dig.
They JUST FINISHED the DAMN THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The most recent toll increase was in January, but Bernard Cohen, transportation secretary and chairman of the turnpike board, said at the time that he might need to come back in a year if the authority cannot find enough money elsewhere to shore up its finances. The Turnpike Authority spends more than $100 million a year on debt and interest payments, mostly related to Big Dig construction. Board members and drivers who commute from the western suburbs have long complained that the system is not fair because so many of the drivers who pay for the Big Dig do not use it.
Board members said they would like to structure an increase to spare drivers from the western suburbs as much as possible, meaning higher rates on the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels.
Yeah, sure, those looters don't care where they get the $$$ as long as they GET IT!!!
All to PAY OFF BANKS with TAXPAYER DOLLARS!! I SAY STOP PAYMENTS and GIVE the MONEY BACK or INVEST IT IN US!!
FUCK the BANKERS!!!!!!!!
Eric Tucker, a 37-year-old software engineer from Charlton, said $1 more at the Allston-Brighton and Weston tollbooths, the worst-case scenario, would add $40 a week to his commute to Cambridge.
"Not cool," Tucker said. "I pay enough taxes."
MORE than enough, guy!!!
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