Grew up in that area and there were tolls for as long as I go back and that’s a while. I remember when the Mass Pike “extension” was put in to extend it into downtown Boston.
Robert Moses of NY pioneered the use of tolls as a political/financial empire. When he established, I think it was the port authority, he kept all the dimes and quarters and was beholden to no one. I’m sure others have trod in his footsteps - except it ain’t dimes and quarters anymore!
“It’s a Hack-O-Rama!”