A federal judge in Rhode Island has agreed to let the state continue to implement electronic tolling equipment on the new Sakonnet River Bridge connecting Portsmouth and Tiverton.
Ronald Lagueux on Wednedsay ruled against the preliminary injunction that Portsmouth, Tiverton and Bristol sought to halt the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority from collecting tolls.
Portsmouth is lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, which will proceed.
The communities say tolls on the new bridge, which adjoins mainland Rhode Island with Aquidneck Island, would impose an economic hardship on residents and businesses.
The authority wants to have electronic tolling cranes in place by July 1. The toll would be 75 cents for Rhode Islanders with an E-ZPass transponder, while non-residents with an E-ZPass would pay $3.75 to cross. Non-E-ZPass users would pay $5.25 per ride. The bridge lies just south of Fall River, Mass.
State officials say funds from the tolls would help maintain all four bridges serving Aquidneck Island, which includes Newport.
