By SEAN P MURPHY Ex-Big Dig official Michael P. Lewis, now R.I. transportation director, receives a threefold boost to his Bay State pension. Michael P.

By Mike Torralba and Marty Minchin, The Charlotte Observer, N.C. Nov. 29--mminchin@charlotteobserver.com Stallings officials say they're dismayed at new details of an already-controversial route option of the planned Monroe Connector/Bypass.

By STEVE LEBLANC; Associated Press The governor's plan calls for merging the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and state Highway Department into a single agency that also would take control of the Tobin Bridge from the Port Authority.

By CASEY ROSS A top Republican lawmaker is renewing a campaign to abolish the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading) sees the move as a way to show that Gov. Deval Patrick is unwilling to slash waste in the face of a $19 billion transportation deficit.

By CASEY ROSS Faced with imploding finances, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority today is expected to vote on proposals to jack up highway tolls to as much as $1.75 inside Route 128 and $6 at the Sumner and Ted Williams Tunnels, sources told the Herald.