Turnpike Officials Take Up Proposal To Delay Toll Hikes

A plan to delay major toll increases comes before the Board of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority today.

The Turnpike Board will be voting on a plan to push back toll hikes to July 1st, and dip into cash reserves to get the agency to the end of this fiscal year.

The plan isn't without risks. Rating agencies could downgrade the Pike's already shaky bond rating to junk status, but Board member Michael Angelini believes that's unlikely.

"I think that if the rating agencies believe there's a plan afoot to keep the Turnpike solvent and viable, that risk will be a very moderate one," Angelini says.

There are multiple plans afoot on Beacon Hill. The Senate is set to take up a transportation restructuring bill this week, followed by the House.

Legislative leaders say they'll return later this spring to debate a second bill regarding new revenues for transportation.