Change To Mass. Transportation Bill Seen As Unlikely

After initiating a conversation over how to modernize the state's infrastructure and erase chronic shortfalls in transportation funding, Gov. Deval Patrick is now squabbling with legislators over details of the bill.

Patrick has returned the bill to lawmakers with a change that would automatically raise the gasoline tax to replace the loss of revenue that would occur if tolls are removed from the western portion of the Massachusetts Turnpike in 2017.

But legislative leaders quickly expressed opposition to the amendment and a vote to reject it could come as early as Monday.

The Patrick administration launched the discussion in January with the release of a report calling for a 10-year, $13 billion capital investment to jumpstart long-stalled projects including expansion of commuter rail to New Bedford and rail service between Boston and Springfield.