The most vehement arguments against tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge are coming from businessmen and their supporters, who envision out-of-state customers evaporating from their parking lots if they have to pay $4 to cross the bridge and $4 to return.
Businessmen and their spokesmen predict disaster. William Clark, Tiverton's director of business development, said that although state officials say they want to make out-of-state drivers pay their share of transportation costs, the burden will fall on local traffic and businesses.
"Tourists pay it once, and they're gone," he said. "We think this is a quick money grab" by state officials looking for a new cash cow.
The bridge connects Tiverton, bordering Massachusetts, and Portsmouth, at the top of Aquidneck Island with the resort city of Newport at its tip.
Hearings on the toll plan are being held this week.