LEWISTON — Councilors on Tuesday joined their Auburn counterparts in calling for more time to come up with alternatives for a Maine Turnpike toll increase.
Councilors approved a resolution Monday night asking the turnpike authority’s board of directors to wait before adopting a new toll structure.
Auburn adopted a similar resolution Monday.
The authority is proposing the toll increase to bring in about $26.5 million per year in new revenue.
The turnpike authority’s current favorite proposal calls for toll increases for the highway’s main barrier tolls and a restructuring of rates for E-ZPass holders and commuter discount programs. Cash tolls would go from from $1.75 to $2.50 at New Gloucester, from $1.25 to $2 at West Gardiner and $2 to $3 at York. Tolls for commercial trucks would increase as well.
Local officials and residents say that increase would hit Lewiston-Auburn residents working in Portland especially hard.
The authority is scheduled to discuss the toll structure options at a workshop meeting 9 a.m. Thursday.
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