NATSO, Rhode Island Trucking Association to Host Anti-Tolling Rally

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Oct 13, 2016, 03:22 ET

PAWTUCKET, R.I., Oct. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Rhode Island Trucking Association and NATSO, the national association representing travel plazas and truckstops, announced today that they will host an informational rally and press conference Oct. 18 to discuss the devastating effects that "RhodeWorks" -- the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's truck-only tolling plan -- will have on local businesses and commercial truck drivers that operate within the state of Rhode Island.

RhodeWorks authorizes the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to toll commercial vehicles within the state. Although revenue is supposed to go toward funding the repair and replacement of bridges throughout the state, there are no legal requirements that the money raised be used in this manner. What's more, tolls significantly increase the costs of shipped goods and divert trucks off of the interstate onto local roads. RhodeWorks will have serious negative effects for local businesses, which will have to pay more for the goods that they sell, as well as Rhode Island towns and communities that rely on these businesses' tax revenue to grow and thrive.

Who: Chris Maxwell, President, Rhode Island Trucking Association
Lisa Mullings, NATSO, President and CEO
Rep. Justin Price (R-R.I.), District 39, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond
Rep. Sherry Roberts (R-R.I.), District 29, which includes portions of Coventry and West Greenwich.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at 11 a.m.

Where: TravelCenters of America located at 849 Victory Hwy, West Greenwich, RI 02817.

Members of the local community as well as truck drivers are encouraged to attend this event. Members of the press are welcome.

Contact: Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, 703-739-8578

SOURCE NATSO, Inc.