Fire destroys equipment at RI bridge ahead of toll
Aug 17, 2013, 6:42 PM
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island state police are working to determine the motive and identity of people who set fire that damaged equipment on the Sakonnet River Bridge two days before a new 10-cent toll is set to begin.
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority Chairman David Darlington says the fire that occurred early Saturday affected equipment near the bridge, not the structure of the span linking Portsmouth and Tiverton. He says traffic on the bridge was uninterrupted.
Darlington says the main systems has either been restored or will be in the next several hours, and he expects tolling on the bridge will continue as planned Monday.
Many residents and business owners in the area have complained the toll will be a burden to commuters, businesses and tourists who use the bridge.
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