The Maine Turnpike Authority is proposing an unfair toll hike in western Maine.
The Authority has set a public review of the proposal, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, at Auburn City Hall.
Local Democratic legislators are urging people to voice their concerns about the critical impact the rate hike would have on working people and businesses in Lewiston-Auburn and western Maine.
I believe most people in the area don't object to paying their fair share, but our tolls should not be subsidizing the rest of the turnpike.
Any proposed toll hike should get a proper legislative review. I have submitted a bill to ensure any toll hike is considered by the Legislature, and a petition will be circulated to stop the hike now.
Rep. Peggy Rotundo, Lewiston
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Look at it this way.
If you get on the pike in Auburn you can travel all the way to the Sabattus exit for free. No matter what exit you get on from Gray south you are going to pay for the privilage of using the pike, even for going from one exit to another.
Or you could live near the Wells exit and pay the same rate from York to Wells as someone going to Gray.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I am not going to type a long
I am not going to type a long reply to this has I have done in other posts in regards to the toll being raised. So you are saying that because you can get on the Auburn exit and travel to Sabattus (2 towns over) for free people in Lewiston/Auburn should feel happy because they don't have to pay to get on? Let's first face the fact, why would someone from Lewiston/Auburn jump on the turnpike for the sole purpose to go to Sabattus? I am not knocking Sabattus it is a beautiful place, but more then half of the jobs in Androscoggin are in Lewiston alone, not even counting Auburn. Which the main reason why people commute are to go to their jobs and to purchase things at stores (which are also in Lewiston-Auburn as well). Again, I am not trying to knock Sabattus down just disputing his claim that people in Lewiston-Auburn-Sabattus just extensively use the turnpike to travel between the three. If you ask people in Lewiston-Auburn-Sabattus if they'd be willing to pay $1 for the same turnpike that Gray gets, they'd take it any day of the week. Especially when considering they almost pay them same amount it would be for those in Gray to get there and back just in one toll.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.The answer was simple at one time, but no more....
I have read all the imformation on per mile rates, EZy pass rates and any other information I could find. I will agree that the Maine Turnpike is on par with toll roads in the North East. Its a very well maintained road, a lot better than some in the area. The mistake that created this ongoing debate, has nothing to do with per mile rates, or how good the road is. Anyone who uses a toll road knows that from time to time tolls need to be adjusted to maintain the upkeep of the road. Thats not whats in question here.
The turnpike was essentially cut in two in New Glaocester. Twelve exits to the south, and two, at the time, exits to the north. When they decided to do that, they made it impossible to charge a fair rate north of Gray. Arguments can be made, and charts can be produced showing the per mile rates north of the barrier toll as being less than south. Even increasing the tolls at the Gray exit, doesn't do anything to repair the disparity. The bottom line is this. They charge a flat rate at the New Gloucester toll booth heading north. Lets say its 1.75. There are two cars at the toll booth heading north. The first car pays 1.75, and proceeds to drive to W. Gardiner. The second car pays 1.75, and drives all the way to Auburn. Mathematically that cannot be justified. The barrier toll should have been placed north of Lewiston in the first place. It probably would have been if the original plan for a barrier in Scarborough was allowed to happen.
Just my humble opinion.....
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.No tolls.
No system of tolls can be setup which is fair; so
1. End the tolls
2. Merge the turnpike commission with DOT
3. Fund it through the general budget.
The turnpike is the economic driver for the whole state with possible exception of Northern Aroostock and Washington county. Maintenance should be paid for by the whole state.
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