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Report: State official wants Mass. Pike tolls to remain beyond 2017

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- One state official is calling for the Mass. Pike to remain a toll road even though state law calls for the roadway to be free once the debt related to it is paid off.

The Boston Business Journal reports Gov. Deval Patrick's transportation secretary, Richard Davey, is calling for lawmakers to rewrite the law so that tolling can continue on I-90 west of Route 128 under an all-electronic plan with the potential for a revenue-sharing system with communities located in the western counties. He reportedly said tolls are not needed within the area of Route 128.

Under the 2009 transportation reform bill, the Mass. Pike would be rid of tolls once all debt is paid. That date is expected to arrive in Jan. 2017. State lawmakers recently failed to pass a proposal that would repeal the part of the law that will end the tolls.

The proposed all-electronic system coincides with the Patrick administration's plan to make the Tobin Bridge worker-free in 2014. Commuters will either pay via E-Z Pass or receive a bill in the mail.

To read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/