It will cost you to drive on portions of Routes 2, 128, I-93 and I-95 if a measure by state Sen. Thomas M. McGee is approved.
The controversial proposal, heard on Beacon Hill this week, could lead to tolls on what are now toll-free highways.
McGee acknowledged it will be a tough sell, since few drivers are willing to pay more to commute.
“People don’t like tolling, so this will be a challenge,” he said. “But three recent reports say the state of transportation in the commonwealth is at a crisis stage.”
Under the proposal, co-sponsored by state Reps. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) and Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), a Metropolitan Transportation Network would be established and electronic tolling would be implemented by the end of next year.
A provision calls for fair treatment of all drivers, and higher tolls at peak times. The money raised, as much as $8 billion, would be used for the state’s transportation system.
McGee argues the North Shore is the only region in Greater Boston without rapid transit access and a year-round ferry. Along with the deficit, transportation is the most critical challenges facing Lynn, he said.
“The city is gridlocked, we can’t get in and out and that inhibits our ability to grow our economy and create opportunities,” he said. “Development in our city hinges on having a more vibrant and efficient transportation system. We can’t wait, the timing was five years ago.”
In 2013, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) published a study that revealed the state needs billions for major transportation projects. The survey concluded tolling would allow the state to expand public transportation and relieve the highways of millions of cars. But the report has been shelved and no action has been taken.
McGee, who is running for mayor, is passionate about the transportation fixes and is willing to raise taxes. In 2013, McGee supported a hike in the gasoline tax that would have automatically adjusted gas taxes to inflation. Those funds would have been used exclusively to pay for infrastructure improvements. But the measure was repealed the following year in a statewide ballot initiative.
“Look, we get tolled going into New Hampshire, New York and Maine, but they don’t get tolled coming into Massachusetts,” he said. “This is about fairness, why should we keep paying our unfair burden and not examine a broader-based tolling system so that we either reduce what we’re paying so that others bare the burden.”
Still, the road to adding tolls will be a steep climb. Former Gov. Deval Patrick took no action on the MassDOT study, Gov. Charlie Baker has staked out an anti-tax position and even McGee acknowledged he’s not sure he has the votes to pass the House and Senate.
Chris Dempsey, director of Transportation for Massachusetts, said while his statewide advocacy coalition has not decided whether to support the bill, he gives McGee credit for starting the debate.
“Tolling is as popular as root canals,” he said. “But Sen. McGee is showing courage by raising an important conversation about how to pay for our transportation system. Drivers are forced to sit in hours of traffic daily. If we don’t manage our roads better, our gridlock is only going to get worse.”
