SALEM, N.H. (AP) – Transportation Commissioner Charles O’Leary on Wednesday proposed hiking tolls throughout most of New Hampshire’s turnpike system to help pay for construction projects.

This would be the first change in the toll rate since 1989.

Gov. John Lynch said he supports the plan and would ask the Executive Council to approve the increases in two weeks.

O’Leary proposes raising tolls from 75 cents to $1 on the Everett Turnpike in Hooksett and Bedford; from 50 cents to 75 cents on the Spaulding Turnpike in Dover and Rochester; and from 50 cents to $1 at ramps on Interstate 95 in Hampton.

The changes don’t affect ramp toll charges off three turnpike exits in Merrimack.

O’Leary said the extra $16 million raised by the increase would go toward repairs, maintenance and expansion projects on the Spaulding Turnpike, the Everett Turnpike and along I-95, including bridge repairs. It would not help fund the Interstate 93 expansion.

The changes would retain the 30 percent discount for those who have an E-ZPass transponder that allows them to pass through the tollbooths without stopping. The cost for motorists using E-ZPass at the Bedford toll, for example, would go up from 53.5 cents to 70 cents for each trip.

AP-ES-09-19-07 1647EDT