State Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-36) wants an independent investigation launched into the Maryland Transportation Authority's accounting to determine how the agency arrived at its proposed rates for toll increases.
Last month, the MdTA formally proposed raising tolls across the state, including the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge crossing the Chesapeake Bay. The department wants to increase the $2.50 toll for the Bay Bridge to $5 this Oct 1, then to $8 in July 2013.
Pipkin has called the bridge a cash cow, a claim refuted by Secretary of Transportation Beverly Swaim-Staley, who said the bridge brought in $140 million over the last four fiscal years but had $139 million in expenses. Swaim-Staley's figures match those listed in revenue and expense sheets on the MdTA's website.
Pipkin said in a press release he has asked for the figures and the documentation on which the MdTA based its need for a massive toll increase. He described what he received as a "muddled presentation" of the last four years' revenues and expenses.
MdTA Communications Director Cheryl Sparks said Wednesday the Department of Legislative Services has regularly asked for toll increases and other independent agencies are used to generate annual traffic forecasts and audit the MdTA's books.
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