Politics & Government

TELL US: Will You Avoid a Sakonnet River Bridge With Tolls?

Residents in Portsmouth and Tiverton say they plan to drive around the Sakonnet River Bridge to avoid bridge tolls.


Bridge tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge are not expected to begin until this summer, but area residents are already changing their daily routes to avoid these extra fees. 

Despite pending legislation, the town of Portsmouth's lawsuit and outcrys from many communities, the Department of Transportation plans to transfer ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge this summer.

The new owners, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, plan to install bridge tolls on the span between Portsmouth and Tiverton. 

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I asked Portsmouth and Tiverton-Little Compton Patch readers if they were already changing their daily routes to avoid bridge tolls. 

Here's what a few, who plan to change their route, said: 

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Allen Thibault Yes, I'll try alternative routes and compare. Rowboat maybe. I have 2 cars, 1 for the island, and 1 for the mainland. Maybe.

DJ Canario Yes saving money on gas and soon to be tolls just takes a little longer.... It's a shorter distance to providence/ Swansea from Portsmouth going thru Bristol just takes 5 min or less longer

Maureen Malloney McGee I sure will when i have to that's for sure!

Jim Caine i will not travel over the bridge if they put in tolls, there alot more wildlife reserves in mass to shoot

Here's what a few, who don't plan to change their route, said: 

Amanda Davis I will stick to my usual commute over the Sakonnet. I would rather get on the highway and go rather than risk traffic in Bristol.

Tony Carvalho Wouldn't it be cheaper to pay the toll than it would be for gas and the time it would take

Jen Ouellette No, it would cost much more in gas to go around. Im in Tiverton, I'd just make less trips. Unfortunately, my family uses many specialists in Portsmouth and Middletown. I guess If it gets to be a burden I'd have to find new doctors... I don't know yet. We will see when the time comes.

Mary R Levesque Mosteiro I work in Newport, and live in Tiverton, I will be using the Sakonnet River Bridge. A waste of gas and more aggravation using Mount Hope Bridge.

Several Portsmouth residnets also expressed concern about traffic on Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth. One drives on Bristol Ferry Road to access the Mount Hope Bridge. 

Mary O'Keefe The new traffic Bristol Ferry Road is flying at 50+mph. We are going to need more police presence when the tolls go in effect, or else pulling out on a left turn will become impossible.

James M Campbell Agree Bristol Ferry road is already getting worse.

What do you think? Will you change your daily route or go out of the way to avoid bridge tolls? Tell us in the comment section below!


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here