The state wants to extend the street known as “the road to nowhere“ and the Senate passed a bill on Thursday to place tolls on it to extend the road from Salem to Interstate-95.
The legislation authorizes the state Department of Transportation to install electronic tolls on the newly constructed extension of Route 11 and to discontinue them when all bonds issued for the construction have been retired.
Supporters said the tolls are necessary to generate enough money to complete the highway.
Opponents worry that it will open the doors to permanent tolls in the state.
In August, Gov. Dannel Malloy ordered the DOT to collect data on traffic, tolls and a conduct a revenue study on extending Route 11 through Salem, Montville, East Lyme and Waterford.
The next step is a vote in the state House of Representatives.
