Terminating the Turnpike Authority: Good, Bad, Ugly?

Deval Patrick wrote an op-ed in the Globe yesterday about reforming Massachusetts transportation. He advocated consolidation and system-wide planning, and emphasized multi-modal transportation. Proposing an elimination of the Turnpike Authority, Patrick outlined a plan to turn over roads that go to Logan and the South Boston Seaport (including Mass Pike east of route 128) to Massport, while the Highway Department would take over the turnpike west of 128. Tolls will be eliminated on the western pike as well, as these funds cannot be used to fund the Big Dig. Other tolls will be implemented to help pay for construction and upkeep. In general, Patrick's plan focused on tolls and roads, not the T.

Our friends at LivableStreets responded:

The Governor continues to neglect the critical short term fiscal crisis at the MBTA. Next year's MBTA budget is in such a dire state that they are considering borrowing funds to cover operating expenses—fiscally imprudent. We commend MBTA's General Manager Grabauskas for doing all in his power to avoid the two very bad options of either increasing fares or decreasing service. He has spend the past several years tightening the belt at the T. But there is only so much he can do without being given a sustainable financial budget. We urge the Governor to take immediate action in collaboration with the legislature, or our transportation crisis will only get worse, and very soon. We have been waiting almost two years already—we cannot afford to delay any longer.

Update: a toll hike of 75 cents at the Weston and Allston-Brighton tollbooths and $3.50 at the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels was just approved. We might make some Toll Hike Cookies tonight to celebrate. (They have quarters in them. Delish.)