Lamont’s new transportation plan: Fewer tolls, federal loans

Details are emerging about Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont”™s revised transportation plan, which includes fewer tolls and the use of low-interest federal loans whose repayments would not begin for at least 10 years after they are secured.

Lamont”™s plan reportedly revolves around a 10-year investment of about $18 billion, or an average of $1.8 billion per year, compared with the $1.5 billion the state currently spends annually on infrastructure.

As previously reported, the governor”™s plan would rely in part on low-interest federal loans, with interest rates at around 2%. The state would have the option of deferring payments or accruing interest until five years after the completion of a major project, which itself would take five to 10 years.

And while the controversial reintroduction of electronic tolls isn”™t completely off the table, the new plan significantly reduces the number of them. Originally, Lamont had proposed tolls on four major highways involving about 50 gantries; the new plan reportedly calls for tolls involving 16 to 18 bridges.

The governor has repeatedly called for a special session of the General Assembly to discuss tolls, while Republicans have remained adamant in their opposition to tolls of any kind.