Connecticut Toll Roads Complete Guide: History, Current Status & Future 2025
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Connecticut Toll Roads Complete Guide
System: No toll roads (toll-free since 1989)
Coverage: All highways, bridges, and turnpikes are toll-free
Currency: US Dollar (USD) - Not applicable
Technology: None (no electronic toll collection)
Operator: Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT)
Are There Tolls in Connecticut? 2025 Update
No, there are absolutely no tolls anywhere in Connecticut. All highways, bridges, turnpikes, and surface roads are completely toll-free. Connecticut has been a toll-free state since the last toll booth was removed from the Charter Oak Bridge in Hartford on April 28, 1989.
Key Reality: Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) confirms there are no tolling locations or toll booths anywhere in the state, and there are no approved plans to implement them.
2025 Update: Despite ongoing discussions about potential toll implementation for transportation funding, Connecticut remains completely toll-free. Any mail notices claiming toll collection from CTDOT are confirmed scams.
Connecticut Transportation Costs: Current Reality
Connecticut drivers pay no tolls for using state highways, bridges, or tunnels. Transportation costs are funded through gasoline taxes, vehicle registration fees, and federal funding.
Current Transportation Funding (2025)
| Funding Source | Rate/Cost | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline Tax | $0.25 per gallon | Highway maintenance | Reduced from $0.39 in 1990s |
| Vehicle Registration | $80-$120 annually | Transportation infrastructure | Based on vehicle value |
| Federal Funding | $600+ million annually | Interstate maintenance | Requirement for toll-free roads |
| Sales Tax | 6.35% on fuel | General transportation | Additional revenue source |
Connecticut's Toll-Free Highway System
Interstate Highways: I-95 (Connecticut Turnpike), I-84, I-91, I-395, I-691, I-384, I-291
State Highways: Route 15 (Merritt Parkway, Wilbur Cross Parkway), Route 2, Route 9, Route 8
Bridges: All highway bridges including Charter Oak Bridge, Gold Star Memorial Bridge, Baldwin Bridge
How Connecticut Eliminated Tolls
Connecticut systematically removed all tolls between 1983 and 1989, making it one of the few states to completely eliminate highway tolls.
1. Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) - Removed October 1985:
- 8 toll plazas from Greenwich to Plainfield
- Generated $65+ million annually before removal
- Accelerated removal after 1983 Stratford fatal accident
- Renamed to Governor John Davis Lodge Turnpike
2. Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways - Removed 1988:
- 3 toll stations in Greenwich, Milford, and Wallingford
- Legislation required closure by July 1, 1988
- Part of comprehensive toll elimination plan
3. Hartford Area Bridges - Removed 1989:
- Charter Oak Bridge (last toll paid April 28, 1989)
- Putnam Bridge and Bissell Bridge
- Symbolic ceremony marked end of Connecticut tolls
To calculate travel costs and routes across Connecticut and neighboring states, use TollGuru trip calculator
Historical Timeline: Connecticut Tolls (1958-1989)
1958-1982: The Toll Era
- January 2, 1958: Connecticut Turnpike opened with $0.25 tolls
- 1930s-1940s: Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways added tolls
- 1942: Charter Oak Bridge toll system implemented
- 1960s: Connecticut Turnpike designated as Interstate I-95
1983-1985: The Turning Point
- January 19, 1983: Fatal crash at Stratford toll plaza kills 7 people
- August 30, 1983: Connecticut agrees to remove Turnpike tolls
- 1982-1983: "Banish All Tolls" community protests intensify
- October 9, 1985: Last Connecticut Turnpike toll collected
1986-1989: Complete Elimination
- 1986: Legislation mandates removal of parkway tolls
- 1988: Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkway tolls eliminated
- April 28, 1989: Last Connecticut toll paid at Charter Oak Bridge
- 1989: Connecticut becomes fully toll-free state
Why Connecticut Removed Tolls
Safety Concerns:
- 1983 Stratford toll plaza accident killed 7 people
- Toll booths seen as dangerous obstacles to traffic flow
- Backup-related accidents and near-misses
- Safety became the primary argument for removal
Traffic and Environmental Issues:
- Chronic congestion at toll plazas
- Waste of gasoline from idling vehicles
- Air pollution from stopped traffic
- Noise pollution in residential areas
Political and Economic Factors:
- Federal funding eligibility for toll-free Interstate highways
- Public opposition from commuter communities
- Revenue diversion to non-highway purposes
- Bonds for original construction nearly paid off
Why Connecticut Can't Easily Restore Tolls
Federal Law Restrictions:
- Federal highways must be toll-free under 23 U.S.C. Section 310
- Connecticut would need Congressional approval for Interstate tolls
- Limited exceptions exist for congestion pricing only
- Most federal tolling programs exclude Interstate highways
Financial Repayment Requirements:
- Must repay $3+ billion in federal highway funds received since 1985
- 1991 estimate was $2.6 billion, now much higher
- Border tolls would require $200-300 million federal repayment
- Risk losing future federal transportation funding
Political and Practical Challenges:
- Strong public opposition to toll restoration
- Infrastructure not designed for modern toll collection
- Traffic backups would affect local roads
- Cross-party political resistance
Connecticut's Toll-Free Highways
Major Interstate Highways:
- I-95 (Connecticut Turnpike/Lodge Turnpike) - 128 miles, Greenwich to Rhode Island
- I-84 - East-west corridor through Hartford
- I-91 - North-south route through Hartford and New Haven
- I-395 - Eastern Connecticut route
- Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) - Scenic parkway to New York
State Highways:
- Route 2 - East-west across central Connecticut
- Route 8 - North-south through Waterbury
- Route 9 - Central Connecticut corridor
- All secondary state routes and local roads
Bridges and Tunnels:
- Charter Oak Bridge - Last toll removed April 28, 1989
- Gold Star Memorial Bridge - I-95 Groton-New London
- Baldwin Bridge - I-95 Connecticut River crossing
- All highway bridges and overpasses statewide
Future Toll Discussions
Ongoing Transportation Funding Challenges:
- Connecticut faces $100+ billion in transportation infrastructure needs
- Current funding sources insufficient for major projects
- I-84 elevated section replacement and I-95 widening projects unfunded
- Bridge and highway maintenance backlogs growing
Potential Options Under Study:
- Value Pricing Pilot (VPP) Program for congestion pricing
- Electronic tolling with variable rates
- Out-of-state driver contributions (30% of potential revenue)
- HOV lane conversions to toll lanes
Political Reality:
- Republican legislators unanimously oppose toll restoration
- Public polling shows strong opposition to tolls
- Lawsuits and court challenges filed against toll studies
- No approved timeline for toll implementation
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any tolls in Connecticut?
No, Connecticut has no tolls anywhere. All highways, bridges, and roads are toll-free. The state has been completely toll-free since 1989.
What happened to Connecticut tolls?
Connecticut systematically removed all tolls between 1983-1989 due to safety concerns, traffic congestion, and public opposition. The 1983 fatal accident at Stratford toll plaza accelerated the removal process.
Could Connecticut bring back tolls?
It would be very difficult and expensive. Connecticut would need Congressional approval and would have to repay $3+ billion in federal highway funding received since tolls were removed.
How does Connecticut fund its highways?
Connecticut funds highways through gasoline taxes ($0.25/gallon), vehicle registration fees, federal funding, and sales taxes. No toll revenue is collected.
Are Connecticut toll notices scams?
Yes, any mail notices claiming toll collection from Connecticut Department of Transportation are scams. Connecticut collects no tolls and has no toll collection authority.
What was the Connecticut Turnpike?
The Connecticut Turnpike (now I-95) was a 128-mile toll highway from 1958-1985. It generated $65+ million annually before tolls were removed. It's now called the Governor John Davis Lodge Turnpike.
Connecticut vs. Neighboring States
| State | Toll Status | Typical Cost | System Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Toll-free since 1989 | $0.00 | No tolls anywhere |
| New York | Extensive toll network | $0.06-$0.50/mile | E-ZPass + bridges/tunnels |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Turnpike | $0.05-$0.30/mile | E-ZPass electronic |
| Rhode Island | Limited truck tolls | Trucks only | RhodeWorks truck tolls |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Turnpike | $0.04-$0.20/mile | E-ZPass + cash |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Turnpike | $0.08-$0.25/mile | E-ZPass + cash |
Useful Links & Resources
Internal Navigation:
- Connecticut Turnpike - Historical information about the former I-95 toll road
- Merritt Parkway - Scenic Route 15 corridor information
- I-95 Connecticut - Complete guide to Connecticut's main Interstate
- Charter Oak Bridge - Last toll bridge in Connecticut
- Connecticut Transportation History - Complete toll road timeline
Official Resources:
- Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT): ct.gov/dot
- Connecticut General Assembly: cga.ct.gov
- Office of Legislative Research: cga.ct.gov/olr
- Federal Highway Administration: fhwa.dot.gov
Neighboring State Toll Information:
- United States Toll Roads - Complete guide to toll roads across America
- New York Toll Roads - E-ZPass and toll bridge information
- Massachusetts Turnpike - Massachusetts toll system
- New Jersey Turnpike - Garden State Parkway and toll information
- Pennsylvania Turnpike - Pennsylvania toll road system
