A group of New Hampshire legislators wants to raise highway tolls on out-of-state vehicles. The proposal faces a major roadblock: Governor Kelly Ayotte firmly opposes any toll increase, even one that spares Granite Staters.
The bill targets vehicles without a New Hampshire E-ZPass. Tolls have not gone up since 2007, and supporters say the time has come.
“We haven’t raised the tolls since 2007,” said state Sen. David Watters, a Dover Democrat. “It is time.”
What the Bill Would Do
The state Senate already passed a version of the bill earlier this month. It would add $1 to tolls for out-of-state vehicles at three key locations: the Hooksett toll plaza on I-93, the main Hampton plaza on I-95, and the Everett Turnpike in Bedford.
Sponsors estimate the increase would generate $53 million in additional revenue in 2027 and $72 million in 2028. That money could fund long-delayed infrastructure projects. Two priorities stand out: replacing the outdated layout at exits 6 and 7 on I-293 and fixing the I-93/I-89 junction in Bow.
Safety Concerns Drive Urgency
Supporters made the case in stark terms during testimony. Amy Charbonneau of Continental Paving pointed to Exit 1 on I-89 as a glaring example. Multiple deaths and frequent accidents have plagued that interchange for years.
Engineers echoed those concerns. JoAnn Fryer of the American Council of Engineering Companies warned that years of inaction carry a real cost in diminished safety and worsening congestion.
Funding Gap Keeps Growing
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation says traffic patterns shifted during the pandemic and never fully recovered. Meanwhile, construction costs have climbed sharply. That combination is squeezing the state’s transportation budget from both sides.
Business leaders are sounding alarms. Jim Jalbert of C&J Bus Lines warned that without new revenue, the state will soon struggle to maintain existing roads — let alone keep up with growth.
Still, opposition runs deep. Several lawmakers refuse to support any increase in taxes, fees, or tolls. And as long as Ayotte holds her ground, the bill faces an uphill battle to become law.
