The old saying maintains that only two things are inevitable: death and taxes. Local drivers may find this adage increasingly relevant. The Department of Transportation is developing plans to construct toll gates at multiple tunnel locations—specifically at both entrances to the Sumner and Callahan Tunnel, as well as at the entrance and exit points of the City Square tunnel serving the Tobin Bridge. Additionally, they intend to implement similar toll collection at both northbound and southbound locations on the Ted Williams Tunnel.
At present, Department of Transportation officials have offered no clarification regarding whether the current reduced toll rate for Chelsea, Charlestown, and East Boston residents will continue, nor have they disclosed what the revised toll amounts would be for these roadways.
Approximately four decades ago, toll collection stations were removed from the northbound lanes of both the Tobin Bridge and Callahan Tunnel. State officials justified this decision as beneficial to commuters, arguing that eliminating toll booths would reduce rush-hour congestion while maintaining a single toll equivalent to the previous two-booth system. They also promoted it as economical for taxpayers, since only half the toll collectors would be required going forward.
This arrangement has functioned effectively throughout the past 40 years.
Now, DOT officials are proposing to alter a system that operates successfully. However, they have not disclosed several critical details:
Will local commuters continue receiving their toll discount?
What will the new toll charges be at each gate location?
State officials today seem unwilling to reject any new tax or fee proposal. A new state gas tax takes effect this week. There is concern that the toll discount for Charlestown residents may be eliminated and that the combined new toll will substantially exceed current charges. If the anticipated toll increases materialize, traffic on Rutherford Ave. could rise significantly.
The direction from state leadership appears unmistakable.
Residents of affluent communities such as Winchester, Reading, and as far north as Concord, New Hampshire enjoy toll-free access to Boston, yet those living in Chelsea, East Boston, or Charlestown face mounting tolls and gas taxes. While the Governor’s office and State House debate eliminating tolls on the Mass Pike in western Massachusetts, how can these new toll gate fees be justified for residents in our area? This disparity raises serious questions about fairness.