Mass. Turnpike Authority Delays Toll Hikes

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority's board has agreed to delay a toll hike that was supposed to go into effect this Sunday until July 1st.

At a meeting in Ludlow, the Turnpike board voted 3 to 2 in favor of postponing the increase. It would have bumped up tolls by a quarter inside route 128 in Boston and by $2 at the tunnels.

Transportation Secretary and board member James Aloisi says this reprieve for drivers is only temporary.

"There's either a legislative solution through a revenue bill that's enacted, or there isn't. And if there isn't then the toll increase that's embedded in the vote will take effect."

The delay means the Turnpike will have to use more than $12 million in reserves in place of that new toll revenue. That worried some board members.

Administration officials have acknowledged there's a chance the Turnpike's use of reserves could lower its already shaky bond rating.