Saugus hears DOT tolling plan

SAUGUS – A proposal by the Department of Transportation would eliminate current tolling methods on the Tobin Bridge and replace them with “all electronic” tolling by 2014.Steve Collins, the Director of Statewide Tolling for the DOT, gave a presentation at Saugus Town Hall Thursday night and listed the benefits of the change.Collins said customers will be able to pay tolls on the Tobin two ways, through his or her regular E-Z Pass transponder, or by having a photo taken of their license plate and having an invoice sent to their home monthly.?All electronic tolling has the highest traffic and environmental benefits,” said Collins. “There isn?t the stop and go of traffic to produce green house gases. There?s not the need to have cash, and it?s very easy to open up and maintain an E-Z Pass account.”Just one person attended the meeting Thursday. But while the auditorium was empty, the presentation was recorded for the Saugus Cable Television Station.According to Collins, the current toll plazas will be replaced by a metal span with sensors, cameras and antennas attached to it, and cars will no longer have to slow down to pay.Collins said construction is already under way on the new tolls, noting the current toll plazas will be demolished some time next spring. The toll zone would also be moved and will be located just after exiting the tunnel coming out of City Square, said Collins.Collins noted that 69 percent of travelers currently use E-Z Pass with 31 percent still using cash. Collins also said there won?t be any job loss with the plan because toll collectors on the Tobin will be moved to other toll plazas.?We have need for toll collectors in other areas,” he said.E-Z Pass transponders are free and customers can add a balance to their account with a credit card or cash at a service center kiosk. More information can be found at the DOT website, massdot.state.ma.us.Town Meeting member Al DiNardo, the lone resident in attendance, asked why North Shore residents pay more at tolls than other communities.?We?re paying a large portion of tolls where others don?t,” said DiNardo. “A daily commuter from Saugus is paying $500 to $600 a year just to cross the bridge. Where would we advocate to have that decision made?”Collins noted that currently Chelsea and Charlestown residents are the only people who receive discounts.Collins said any other discounts would have to be approved legislatively and noted State Rep. Kathi Reinstein (D-Revere) is sponsoring a bill to expand discounts to other communities.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].