Mass Turnpike Board To Withdraw Toll Hike

A $100 million toll increase on on the Massachusetts Turnpike is just days away, but the Turnpike Board of Directors is likely to rescind the toll hike.

That is because the money is coming another way: A 25 percent sales tax increase that the governor is expected to approve Monday afternoon.

Lawmakers have pledged $100 million of new sales tax receipts to stave off the toll hike. The Turnpike Authority itself is in its last days, as Gov. Patrick signed a sweeping transportation reform bill last week.

However, the Pike's problems threaten to outlast the agency. Last week, banking giant UBS terminated a Big Dig financing agreement with the Pike. That makes the state liable for a $268 million payment to UBS.

The Patrick Administration now has 30 days to negotiate an alternative.