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State senators had been scheduled to vote on Lamont’s proposal this week, but reportedly stated they needed more time, prompting the governor to announce that the state would be ditching the plan.
“I’ve got a Legislature that doesn’t want to make a choice,” Lamont said at a news conference. “I think it’s time to take a pause.
"Don’t say I need another week. I’ve heard that for a year. I’ve lost patience. We’re going to fix our transportation plan and will work with anybody who has a constructive alternative.”
Connecticut’s crumbling transportation infrastructure is expected to cost upwards of $20 billion to fix, much of which was to be raised through the toll system.
Lamont said the state would pay to make infrastructure improvements by borrowing approximately $200 million annually to fix issues that have been prevalent for years.
Last year, Connecticut borrowed $800 million for highway, bridge and rail upgrades.
According to Lamont, they will also have to look to other sources to raise the funds that were projected to be generated by the tolls.
Lamont’s proposal has taken many forms, with the governor initially proposing dozens of toll gantries throughout state highways. He later backed away from that plan amid backlash and made a second proposal to only tax trucks traveling through the state on fewer gantries.
According to Lamont, the transportation infrastructure proposal would have helped limit bottlenecks, made traffic more bearable during morning and evening commutes and could total billions over the next decade.
Senate Pro Tempore President Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff issued a statement following the announcement of the delayed vote.
“In light of a potential unprecedented two-day, 30-hour-long debate, the Senate Democrats asked for five more days for our Senators to prepare and make necessary family arrangements,” they stated. “We are still confident that Senate Democrats have the votes to pass a comprehensive transportation plan which includes 12 toll gantries on 18-wheeler trucks only.
“We are prepared to hold a session next week to vote on a bill to make the necessary transportation investments for Connecticut’s economic development, residents, and businesses.
"We have worked with the House and the Governor’s office consistently over the past 10 months to finalize the transportation issue and have proposed numerous solutions over that time period. We remain committed to investing in Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure.”
On Facebook, “No Tolls CT,” a group dedicated to fighting tolls in the Nutmeg State, posted, "This is not a victory for only No Tolls CT nor is it the hard work of only #NoTollsCT. Not by any means.
"This is very much the involvement of every Connecticut taxpayer who very simply said, 'No more.' Thank you, Connecticut!”
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