The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has ruled in favor of Rhode Island’s RhodeWorks truck tolling program, allowing the state to restart it.
This decision overturns a 2022 ruling by U.S. District Judge William Smith, who had declared the tolls unconstitutional. The American Trucking Associations had filed a lawsuit, arguing that the tolls unfairly targeted out-of-state truckers and placed an extra burden on them.
Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, saying it confirmed the fairness and importance of the program.
Attorney General Peter Neronha also praised the ruling, calling RhodeWorks essential for funding the repair and maintenance of the state’s transportation infrastructure. While the court upheld the program, it did note an exception related to toll caps.
Richard Pianka, Chief Legal Officer of the American Trucking Associations, stated that the group is reviewing the decision and considering their next steps.
RhodeWorks, introduced in 2016 under then-Governor Gina Raimondo, was designed to generate revenue by charging truck tolls to support road and bridge repairs across Rhode Island.