An experiment launched late this summer at the Hampton Tolls booths on Interstate 95 may become a permanent solution to traffic backups.
As New Hampshire Public Radio Correspondent Roger Wood reports, Governor Craig Benson is backing permanent one way tolls collected only Northbound.
Against the backdrop of the Hampton tollbooths, Governor Benson characterized the ten week experiment of one way tolls as very successful.
(Benson) :18
"On August 22nd we decided to switch this around and make it a one way toll system, doubling the tolls northbound and removing the tolls southbound, and to date we have found that the traffic backups that have plagued these booths northbound and southbound have almost completely disappeared."
Benson said that he's heard compliments from residents and visitors, as well as the travel industry about the easier ride in and out of New Hampshire.
(Benson) :10
"And I might add a more humorous note, I even got a note from Mitt Romney, thanking me for cleaning up the traffic situation on his commute to Wolfeboro."
The Governor instituted the one-way toll Northbound after becoming stuck in traffic last summer.
But he also said that the current system will expire this weekend, and two-way tolls reinstated, at least over the winter.
(Benson) :13
"Reason we are going back to a two way toll system is pure and simply safety. We are not able to plow the roads as effectively in the current configuration as we are under the old configuration."
THE GOVERNOR stood by his determination to bring back the one way tolls next summer.
BUT RECENT NEWS ACCOUNTS REPORTED THAT THE STATE LOST some $187 thousand dollars in toll revenue during the EXPERIMENT'S first TWO MONTHS.
AT THAT RATE, THE STATE COULD LOSE 1.1 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
BUT State Transportation Commissioner Carol Murray said that the exact losses won't be known until HER DEPARTMENT CRUNCHES THE numbers.
(Murray) :11
"What we have are really gross generalities in terms of numbers. What we need to do is do a full analysis to be able to accurately respond to that."
Murray said it's also difficult to pinpoint ANY savings the state MAY HAVE enjoyed.
FOR EXAMPLE BY CLOSING OFF THE SOUTHBOUND TOLL BOOTHS, THE STATE CUT BACK ITS PAYROLL FOR TOLL BOOTH ATTENDANTS.
She also said THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF vehicles bypassing the TOLLS on local roads.
Seabrook Police Chief David Currier said that the diversion problem CONCERNS HIM, as vehicles exit on Route 1 and 107.
(Currier) :28
"Additional traffic from 95 has been coming through our community, being the last exit before the toll. And again, we're a tourist community as well as a lot of New Hampshire. We love it if people come to stop in Seabrook, and to spend some money with our vendors, but this isn't that type of traffic. This is traffic that is clearly coming through our community, traveling through without stopping, simply to avoid the increase in toll on 95."
Currier said that he would like to TESTIFY at a public hearing before the one way toll is made permanent.
BUT the Governor didn't promise such a forum at the Hampton news conference.
Ultimately the decision will be made by the Governor and Executive Council.
One Councilor, Republican Ruth Griffin, said that there is considerable support for the permanent change.
(Griffin) :16
"We have discussed it because you're always looking at revenue, looking at safety, and the problems with air. I would say that the five councilors have been discussing it among ourselves, and there is support there."
AMONG THE PROPOSALS ON THE TABLE ARE an Easy-Pass electronic toll system and the removal of four of the southbound booths.
BOTH WOULD increase speed and safety through that section of I95.
Transportation Commissioner Carol Murray said that her department will study the issue this fall and winter.
SHE IS SCHEDULED TO HAVE A final report and recommendations in front of the Governor and Council BY FEBRUARY 15TH.
For NHPR News, this is Roger Wood.
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