November 20, 2008 Gas tax or toll hike? Play video

(Brad Puffer, NECN: Everett, MA) - This traffic circle in Everett is already a busy road. It’s one of the ways into Boston without a toll. Now with tolls on the tunnels expected to double to $7 next year – drivers expect traffic here to get even worse.

Izzy Rodriguez "It will be double the traffic. I can see it now. I will be looking for shorter routes." Patricia Mathieson "I know I am going to find other ways to avoid the tolls it’s crazy"

Mayor Carlo DeMaria says the toll increase could create a safety hazard in Everett – especially on roads that have already been the scene of major accidents.

Mayor DeMaria "For the impact on the circle, it could be devastating. To handle all that traffic, it’s concerning to me."

It’s just one more reason why support for a gas tax instead of a toll hike is growing on Beacon Hill. Even Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi is now on board, giving the proposal some real traction.

Speaker Sal DiMasi "It’s about equity, it’s about fairness, and it’s about sharing the responsibility of taking care of our transportation infrastructure."

The governor says a gas tax is not his first choice, but would consider it as part of a much larger solution for the state’s transportation problems.

Gov Patrick "If it is a gas tax where we are talking about taking all the tolls down now we are getting somewhere. If it’s a gas tax where we start talking about dealing with the Big Dig debt and at

While there remains much opposition, there appears to be more in favor than ever before. Even legislators from western Massachusetts who don’t pay the toll everyday are open to the idea.

Rep Dan Bosley "In order to to fix the roads throughout the state not just the Big Dig we need more revenue and the most equitable way to do that is a gas tax"

Here in Everett, it’s certainly not hard to find residents who would prefer a gas tax instead of $7 tolls.

Bob Rudnick "If you can alleviate the traffic it’s a win win for Everett and if the gas tax goes up it’s probably better for Everett but how high should it go?"