MERRIMACK— It seems that each year, local officials vow to alleviate some of the toll burden on Merrimack residents, and this year is no exception.

Last week, the legislative Public Works and Highways Committee reviewed two proposed bills addressing the tolls in Merrimack and its neighboring community of Bedford.

“A lot of people in Merrimack are passionate about this. It is an emotional topic,” said Rep. John Graham of Bedford. “They feel put out.”

House Bill 1369 is sponsored by Graham and two Nashua state representatives. If approved, the bill would replace the existing Bedford toll plaza, move it south to exit 10 in Merrimack and eliminate tolls at exits 11 and 12 in Merrimack. The proposed bill also recommends the new toll plaza be an “open road” concept that is either an overhead toll plaza or all-electronic tolling.

Although Graham is supportive of the proposed legislation, he admits it will not likely be approved.

“There may be significant costs to moving the entire thing, and considerable opposition from people in Litchfield and Manchester since we will essentially be putting a toll right before people go to the airport,” said Graham, explaining the state is losing revenue when motorists from the south utilize the Airport Access Road, which is not a tolled roadway.

The committee is expected to discuss this topic further at its Oct. 16 meeting, according to Graham.

In response to Graham’s legislation, Rep. Richard Barry of Merrimack filed House Bill 1192, which would provide an E-ZPass commuter discount to motorists frequenting toll plazas. This initiative is supported by Rep. Chris Christensen, also of Merrimack.

If a motorist uses the E-Z Pass toll collection system 16 times at the same toll plaza in any given month, the motorist will not have to pay additional tolls at that plaza for the rest of the month, according to the proposed legislation.

Christensen said this proposal could mitigate some of the toll pressure in town, especially if the idea of relocating the Bedford toll plaza to Merrimack receives support.

Christensen, joined by several other members of the local delegation, previously sponsored a separate bill that was killed earlier this year by House legislators. That bill, House Bill 1257, recommended all northbound and southbound tolls be removed from Exits 10, 11 and 12 in Merrimack, and a new toll plaza be constructed in Nashua between Exits 1 and 2.

“It is always a disappointment,” Christensen said of the unsuccessful attempts each year to correct some of the toll burden facing the town. “I don’t think the people of Merrimack would complain if other towns were in the same situation, but that is not the case.

“Everybody in Nashua gets to ride for free, so to speak, and so do those in Manchester,” Christensen said this week. “ … We just feel like we are being treated unfairly.”

Christensen opposes HB 1369, explaining that most local residents commute south, not north. Therefore, if the mainline is moved from Bedford to Merrimack, residents will likely be paying $1, or double what they pay now, to get on and off the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack, Christensen said.

“I don’t see any advantage to Merrimack people,” he said of moving the toll plaza from Bedford to Merrimack. “Merrimack was the last set of new tollbooths in the state, and we learned that wasn’t a good deal.”

Earlier this year, at a public meeting, Town Councilor Dan Dwyer argued that despite toll increases or the relocation of toll booths, the real solution would be to increase the gas tax by about one or two cents. Vehicles are running more efficiently than ever, with some cars operating on 40 miles per gallon of gasoline, he said.

Dwyer stressed at the time that he will do whatever is necessary to prevent more tolls from coming into Merrimack. Local representatives have repeatedly promised to assist local residents with the toll situation.

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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.