To the editor:

We can all agree that our roads and bridges are deplorable but is tolling the best solution to repair them? East Bay residents must be elated that the governor has chosen not to toll our area of the state.

In fact, a number of our local legislators will tell you that the working Sakonnet gantry recently paid for with toll and gas tax revenue will be taken down soon. (Note: The gantry was taken down Sunday night, after The Portsmouth Times received this letter.) Sounds like great news for the East Bay residents and all who travel here.

Just a couple thoughts:

• What if the gantry doesn’t come down after the toll bills are approved and we are tolled after all? Our local legislators will tell you that, oops, they were lied to just like us.

• If the toll bills are approved and Mt. Hope and the Sakonnet are the only non-tolling bridges, how do you think most trucks will get around the other tolls? They’ll be driving across these bridges and through our already too busy East and West Main roads. They’ll be driving through Warren and Bristol to avoid the tolls.

• I drive weekly from Connecticut to Massachusetts. The only toll is the Newport Bridge. Trucks which now drive from Connecticut to Massachusetts could drive along Route 1 and Route 138 across the Jamestown, Newport and Sakonnet bridges, in order to pay significantly less than the new propose daily maximum of $40. So now we will have 18-wheelers regularly driving on Route 138 and Route 114 to save money.

Stop the tolls now before we all must live with the unintended consequences — not just those of us on the East Bay, but everywhere in Rhode Island. Call or e-mail all our legislators, but most importantly Gina Raimondo, governor@governor.ri.gov; Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, sen-paivaweed@rilegislature.gov; and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, rep-mattiello@rilegislature.gov; immediately or tolls will be approved.

Nancy Howard

16 Dianne Ave.

Portsmouth