Jan 9, 2009 9:50 am US/Eastern
Pipkin Aims To Put Inspections Over Toll Increases
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Maryland drivers could be closer to paying more when driving on the state's toll roads.
WJZ
Maryland drivers could be closer to paying more when driving on the state's toll roads, but one of Maryland's top Republicans is saying wait a minute to higher tolls and fees.
Dennis Edwards reports E.J. Pipkin says tolls shouldn't go up until there are more thorough inspections of bridges.
The Maryland Transportation Authority's proposal to raise bridge and highway tolls 33 to 80 percent for large trucks and equipment fees for E-Z Pass riders raises questions about priorities.
"We asked for them to do a full inspection of the Bay Bridge, and instead of an inspection, we got increases. And for me, that's the wrong set of priorities," said Pipkin.
Pipkin wants a Bay Bridge users' bill of rights prohibiting toll and fee increases. He also wants to waive tolls with 30 minute traffic jams, establish a truck traffic task force and take a serious look at building a third bridge over the bay.
"The Transportation Authority that runs these bridges and tolls can raise these tolls without ever going to the legislature to get approval. We think that's wrong," said Pipkin.
Bay Bridge safety has been a hot topic in Maryland since long before a fatal accident last summer sent a tractor trailer through a guard barrier and into the bay.
In response to Pipkin's objections, the MdTA says the authority has worked diligently in the past couple of years to strengthen its inspection program, which already exceeds federal standards and is conducted by independent, licensed engineering consultants.
Since almost 70 percent of these increases affect truckers, they say they'll have to avoid toll roads in Maryland and find a different way to their destinations.
"I understand they need money for road repair and all that, but they're taking it all out on us," said Mark Kershaw, trucker.
Kershaw hauls freight for a well-known grocery company.
"If it goes through like that, it's gonna be a lot less traffic on 95. We'll start doing the go-arounds," said Kershaw.
Proposed toll increases aren't final until a vote later this month. The future of Pipkin's proposals will be up to the next General Assembly.
This is the entire statement from Maryland Transportation Authority Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland:
"The Maryland Transportation Authority has a rigorous annual inspection program. Moreover, the Authority has worked diligently in the past couple of years to strengthen its inspection program, which already exceeds federal standards and is conducted by independent licensed engineering consultants. But we won't rest on those facts alone. Governor O'Malley helped us bring the nation's best minds together last fall in a Peer Review Group to thoroughly examine our inspection program and identify opportunities for enhancing the process. The Group has met several times already and expects to have a final report in April. We appreciate Senator Pipkin's support of our work to help ensure that we have the best inspection program in the country for Maryland's bridges and tunnels."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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