The Massachusetts House approved a compromise version of a transportation reform package July 13 that would give the state’s transportation secretary sweeping new powers to consolidate the state’s highway infrastructure. It now heads to the Senate for approval.

The plan would make the secretary of transportation chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, an independent authority that currently operates outside state government. According to the Boston Herald, the secretary would also become a board member of the Massachusetts Port Authority and chairman of the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission.

The change would not take place until 2007.

Lawmakers decided to delay the switch to avoid any disruption during the final stages of the Big Dig, which the Turnpike Authority oversees.

Despite the concentration of power in the hands of the transportation secretary, the bill maintains the Turnpike as a separate independent authority.

The proposal would require the Turnpike to study a sliding scale toll system that would raise and lower tolls to help reduce congestion and operating costs, the newspaper reported. It would also require the authority to maintain and plow three state-run highways – Interstates 395, 84 and 291.

In addition, an “Office of Transportation Planning” would be created to develop a comprehensive plan to improve and maintain roads, passenger rails, freight rail, aviation, shipping and water transportation.