New toll rates in New Hampshire to take effect Jan. 1 after lawmakers overrode governor’s veto
By Mike Moses
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HAMPTON, New Hampshire (WMUR) — New Hampshire lawmakers have overridden Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s veto of a major transportation bill that includes higher toll rates beginning next year.
The legislation is part of the state’s 10-year transportation plan and includes additional funding for turnpike projects.
Sen. Mark McConkey, vice chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said the state has been dealing with flat toll revenue while the cost of transportation projects continues to rise.
McConkey said additional toll revenue will help keep projects and other transportation improvements moving forward.
Supporters also argue the higher tolls will shift more of the cost to drivers from out of state who use New Hampshire’s highways.
“People overwhelmingly said if we could have someone else pay for those improvements, being Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts traveling through our state, and cap our fees in our state, what a great benefit that would be for us all,” McConkey said.
Ayotte vetoed the bill last month, saying she did not support raising tolls and would continue focusing on making New Hampshire more affordable and a destination for tourists.
“Make no mistake of it, this is a tax increase on Granite Staters. If you pay cash, you will pay double. If you didn’t get a new transponder when you moved here, you will pay double. I’ll always use my veto pen when it means stopping tax hikes. Politicians will always want to spend more of your money, but when they double costs, it makes life less affordable and crushes working families,” Ayotte said.
McConkey said he understands the governor’s concerns but does not expect the increase to significantly affect tourism.
At the Hampton toll plaza, the standard passenger-vehicle rate will increase from $2 to $4 beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
A New Hampshire Department of Transportation spokesperson said vehicles listed on a funded New Hampshire E-ZPass account will receive the NH E-ZPass toll rate, which is the same as today’s discounted rate.
Vehicles not listed on a funded New Hampshire E-ZPass account, as well as drivers who pay cash, will be charged the new higher toll rate, according to the spokesperson.
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