This is the sort of message that area businesses expect and dread should Sakonnet River Bridge tolls be put into effect.

Tom Letourneau, who organizes sports car rallies throughout the region, wrote to say that he has been asked to lay out the upcoming Alfa Romeo Club of New England convention and rally for June 1 through the three Aquidneck Island towns and then over to Tiverton and Little Compton. The club had taken a similar route three years ago and liked it.

That may now change.

“Bad enough these people (out of staters so no Rhode Island resident discount) will have to pay the Newport Bridge toll. I am not looking forward to having to tell them that they will now, also, have a Sakonnet Bridge toll!  I may just end the rally on Aquidneck and not go to Tiverton and Little Compton which, when you figure 30 to 45 cars and couples, and the planned visit to Sakonnet Vineyards, and overnight stays, now not going as planned, it is a lot of money out of the Tiverton and Little Compton business community”

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