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Western Mass. turnpike tolls set to be restored

WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike's first six interchanges are set to return this week.

The tolls for passenger car drivers will resume Tuesday after having been eliminated in 1996 by former Gov. William Weld. They will cover Interchange 1 connecting to West Stockbridge through Interchange 6 connecting to Springfield and Interstate 291.

The tolls will be the same as in 1996. The cost for cars getting on at Exit 6 and getting off at Exit 1 would be $1.75.

Reinstating the tolls was included in a state transportation financing package approved earlier this year. State transportation officials held two public meetings last month to discuss the decision.

The restoration of the tolls is expected to generate about $12 million in revenue annually.