Major Arguments Today in Turnpike Toll Equity Case
Thursday, August 6th, 2009Major Arguments Today in Turnpike Toll Equity Case
Motion for Restraining Order, Traffic Study Subject of Oral Arguments
WOBURN – Lawyers for more than 2,300 tollpayers in the class action lawsuit against the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority over the diversion of tolls to pay for The Big Dig head to court today for key oral arguments in the case.
Attorney Jan Schlichtmann will argue before Judge Herman Smith on his request for a restraining order stopping the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority from continuing to divert toll revenue collected from the Pike and tunnels to pay for the Big Dig. Attorneys will also discuss a new traffic study, which shows that only 46 percent of the estimated 632,000 cars driving on Interstate 93, Interstate 90, and the Callahan and Sumner tunnels pay tolls. The data shows that every driver who pays tolls is paying for themselves and one other driver getting a free ride.
Schlictmann and tollpayers joining the suit will be available to the media at 1:30 PM outside the courthouse before the 2 PM court hearing. They will discuss the motion, the traffic study and the Turnpike’s surprise response to Treasurer Tim Cahill’s comments on the case yesterday. (more…)
