Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt found herself in an unfortunate political firestorm last week thanks to her willingness to say the truth: We should give a hard look at adding tolls to other highways in Massachusetts.
As the transportation secretary’s recent comments about imposing tolls for drivers crossing into Massachusetts continue to attract fire from political adversaries and a conservative watchdog group, they have also won a measure of support from one of the most powerful lawmakers on Beacon Hill.
Gov. Maura Healey’s made significant progress on her initial transportation goals. She now has a foundation to help Massachusetts build a better transportation system next year if she can keep up this drumbeat.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a major tax bill Wednesday night that Democratic leaders say will generate more than half a billion dollars for transportation infrastructure.
House leaders have offered few details about what they plan to include in a transportation revenue package targeted for release this month, but two advocates said Wednesday that toll increases and expansions should be a critical of the strategy.
As state leaders try to figure out how to pay for the investments advocates – and now business and transportation leaders – say Massachusetts needs to fix its current traffic nightmare, stay economically competitive and decarbonize its economy, a new report from A Better City outlines one possible solution.
A majority of residents want to see significant improvements to the commuter rail system, but they also believe the costs should not be passed along to riders in the form of higher fares or an increased gas tax, according to a new poll.
Congestion is holding back Greater Boston from its full economic potential – and the consequences go far beyond just the time we waste stuck in gridlock on our roads.
Highway tolls can be the key component to a comprehensive transportation plan, where we set a fair price on all modes of transportation, provide better options for mass transit and build in credits to address equity concerns.
Expanding road tolls across Massachusetts and to the state’s borders could be a way to generate new revenue to address growing transportation woes, Senate President Karen Spilka said Thursday.
Out-of-state drivers are taking Massachusetts for a ride, to the tune of $26.8 million in unpaid tolls since the electronic system was implemented over two years ago, with Connecticut the biggest offender.
If taxes are the price we must pay for a civilized society, transportation user fees, such as roadway tolls, transit fares and the gasoline taxes, are the price we pay for a civilized transportation system.
