By Bruce Landis
The Town of Portsmouth issued a stop-work order against the state Turnpike and Bridge Authority, which is building a toll collection "gantry" over Route 24 at the Sakonnet River Bridge, because the authority didn't get a building permit.
"They've got to get a building permit from someone," Town Solicitor Kevin Gavin said.
But David Darlington, the authority's chairman, said that because the project is on state property, the authority doesn't need a permit.
The authority told its contractors to go back to work, Darlington said.
The town, and its neighbors, are fighting against the state government's decision to collect tolls on the new bridge.