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It’s not customary to place tolls on existing roadways. But that’s what a proposed add-on to the state budget essentially aims to do by enacting fees for use of NCDOT ferries in eastern North Carolina.

That version of the 2025 Appropriations Act would begin charging passengers on all state ferry routes, including the Aurora-Bayview route here in Beaufort County.

The ferry connects the north and south sides of the county with service across the Pamlico River and is used primarily by local residents, including many who work at Nutrien, one of the county’s top employers.

If the budget proposal passes as it currently stands, vehicles less than 20 feet would be charged $3 per ferry crossing and those larger than 20 feet would be charged $6. Even passengers would face charges of $1 per crossing.

It’s not surprising Nutrien has voiced opposition to the proposed tolls.

The ferry, connecting Highway 306 from one side of the river to the other, provides the only direct road connection between the north and south on the eastern side of the county. It likely saves the state many millions of dollars in bridge construction and maintenance.

The projected gross annual revenues generated by newly imposed tolls would be a drop in the bucket for the state’s overall transportation budget. 

Why would state lawmakers attempt to squeeze what would amount to more tax from a local area that can hardly afford it and do so mostly on the backs of people trying to get to and from their jobs?

The Town of Aurora may be starting to feel like it’s under attack. Such a perception would be understandable. After losing its only grocery store and bank, the town’s lone public school is in the crosshairs for closure by the county board of education. Imposing a charge on the only means for motor-vehicle access to the town from north would be another blow to Aurora’s potential rebound.

Beaufort County’s legislative delegation is justified in comments opposing ferry tolls.

Rep. Keith Kidwell and Sen. Bob Brinson both say they are working to have the ferry tolls removed from the state budget before it’s passed by the General Assembly. 

Kidwell rightfully considers the ferries part of the NC highway system. He draws a thoughtful comparison to state-transportation funding specific to the western part of the state, such as snow plows and bridges funded there without the levy of additional local fees. 

Ferry tolls finding their way into proposed state budgets is nothing new. Luckily, they’ve been removed before passage of the final budget, like they were in 2023.

Let’s hope Kidwell and other representatives from our region are able to stave them off again this time.