Toll hike hearing in Lynn Dec. 15

LYNN-The Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce is rallying the opposition, hoping to pack the City Council chambers on Monday, Dec. 15, when the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority will conduct a public hearing on its planned toll increases.”We need your support, so please mark your calendar,” said JoAnn Power, the chamber’s communications director, noting that the hearing starts at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.The Turnpike Authority intends to dramatically increase highway tolls in Greater Boston, including doubling the Ted Williams Tunnel toll from $3.50 to $7.The proposed hikes are prompting an outcry from commuters, particularly those on the North Shore who must depend on these facilities to enter or pass through Boston.”While New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island residents all travel to Boston for free, the lower North Shore residents will be forced to pay the brunt of the Big Dig alone if the higher toll hikes goes through,” said Power.The toll increases place an unfair burden on those who must use the tunnels to get to work, she said, adding that those traveling on the Massachusetts Turnpike will be paying $2 in tolls while those west of Route 128 will pay nothing.”It’s completely unfair to raise the tolls for people from the North Shore,” she said, adding that Rep. Steve Walsh, a Lynn Democrat, is spearheading the opposition to the toll hike, with the support of other North Shore legislators, including Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein from Revere and Lynn Mayor Edward Clancy Jr.Walsh has filed a bill that would halt all toll hikes until Dec. 31, 2009 or until the Legislature comes up with a suitable transportation plan.”With so few jobs available on the North Shore and the highest foreclosure rates of the state, many workers are forced to find work south and west of Boston with no means other than the tunnels to commute there,” Power said.The Turnpike Authority announced the toll hikes will go into effect Feb. 9.