Active Transportation Program Suffers as Truck Toll Revenue Falls Short

Delays in constructing an extensive truck-only toll system have caused a shortfall in toll revenue affecting the Rhode Island DOT budget. A promise to repair bridges repair means a big cut for bike and pedestrian funding.

3 minute read

February 2, 2019, 1:00 PM PST

By Irvin Dawid


Goods Movement

Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock

"The Rhode Island Department of Transportation [RIDOT] has proposed cutting $28 million from bicycle and pedestrian projects and trimming $96 million from its highway repaving budget over the next decade in the most recent changes to its 10-year transportation spending plan," reports Patrick Anderson for the Providence Journal.

The changes, which have drawn the ire of advocates for improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, will allow the state to keep the promise it made when lawmakers approved truck tolls in 2015 [sic], to have 90 percent of the state’s highway bridges structurally sufficient by 2025. Currently, 77 percent of Rhode Island’s bridges are rated structurally sufficient.

At the time, the Ocean State had the dubious distinction of having the highest percentage of state bridges, 56 percent, being rated deficient, which includes both structurally deficient and functionally obsolete categories. Finding revenue to repair bridges was one of the main reasons that led the state legislature in February 2016 to approve Gov. Gina Raimondo's truck-only toll program, known as RhodeWorks.

The unique tolling program, which only applies to specific types of tractor trailers and relies on electronic toll collection as opposed to toll booths, became operational in June 2018, "roughly a year later than first anticipated — due to a more time-consuming federal approval process and toll-equipment testing," reports Anderson, and that means a shortfall of projected toll revenue.

Furthermore, only two of the 13 planned toll gantries have been constructed and are operational, but the department received good news from the federal government in December.

"RIDOT announced Dec. 20 that the Federal Highway Administration has granted approval for the state to proceed with construction on another series of tolling gantries," reported Eleanor Lamb for Transport Topics.

According to RIDOT, the next tolling gantry is expected to be completed and operational by May. The remaining tolling locations will be activated “in quick succession” every one or two months. The 10 gantries are expected to be completed by May 2020.

Diversion of federal active transportation funding

According to Angie Schmitt of Streetsblog USA, RIDOT chose to "transfer $27 million in federal money dedicated to active transportation to highways and administrative expenses over the next 10 years."

The transfer will rob funding from City Walk, the innovative on-road trail project underway in Providence aimed at increasing walking and biking rates and improving safety.

The Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition has issued a "call to action" to its members to restore funds to the Transportation Alternatives Program.

"We object, in the strongest possible terms, to the amendment proposed by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation," states their Jan. 26 press release.

Funds in the Transportation Alternatives Program should not be raided for highway infrastructure projects or other priorities. Rhode Island’s citizens deserve better.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019 in Providence Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA