The head of the Maine Turnpike Authority told lawmakers today that tolls on the Maine Turnpike will need to be increased a year earlier than expected because of rising construction costs and fewer drivers on the highway.

Paul Violette told members of the Legislature's Transportation Committee that the rate in Maine will likely go from 3.7 cents per mile to 4.5 center per mile starting Feb. 1.

The authority, which is a separate entity from state government, is expected to approve the increase on Thursday.

Violette said construction costs that have increased by 40 percent in the last three years and fewer highway users this year mean the authority needs to raise $20 million through increased tolls. The authority usually waits five years between toll increases, but needs to push it up a year because of rising costs, he said.

"We have reached high and low for any alternative to avoid this," he said.