August 21, 2008 Turnpike board may eliminate discounts for Fast Lane users Play video

(Jennifer Eagan, NECN: Worcester, MA) - Life in the "Fast Lane" will not cost Central Massachusetts commuters extra dough, at least for now. The Turnpike Authority board met in Auburn, Massachusetts Thursday to try and figure out how to pay for the staggering burden of Boston's Big Dig.

Turnpike director Alan LeBovidge wants to eliminate discounts for Fast Lane users and Boston residents to help ease the authority's cash crunch.

LeBovidge told the Turnpike's board Thursday that the Fast Lane discount was established as an incentive to encourage use of the electronic transponders. Now, many people have them.

The discount saves drivers 25 cents at the Allston-Brighton and Route 128 booths, and 50 cents at the Ted Williams and Sumner tunnels.

The Turnpike is facing a deficit of up to $70 million this year and $100 million next year.

Material from the Associated Press is included in this report.