Governor Deval Patrick proposed last week to dismantle the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, which faces ‘upwards of $20 billion in debt and deficit’ from the Big Dig, government officials said.’

The proposal, which will be brought to the Massachusetts Legislature for consideration in 2009, would cut the Turnpike Authority into two zones by 2010, Massachusetts Highway Department spokesman Klark Jessen said. The western half, west of Route 128, would be placed under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts Highway Department, and the eastern half, the Metropolitan Highway System, would become part of the Massachusetts Port Authority, he said.

As part of the proposal, Patrick would make good on his promise to terminate the toll system on the western turnpike within the next two years, but drivers entering the state will still be subject them, Jessen said. The Metropolitan Highway System, however, which begins at the Allston-Brighton toll plaza and ends at Logan Airport, will continue to have tolls, he said.

The MTA also proposed raising tolls. The cost of driving through tunnels, for instance, may rise to double the current price ‘-‘- $7 a trip, Jessen said.

The MTA made the change to reduce debt, but it cut staff and attempted to reduce costs for a year before considering toll increases, he said.

‘The long-term goal is to reduce and move toll requirements further east,’ Jessen said. ‘Primarily, tolls would be in tunnels to and from Logan airport.’

State Senator Thomas McGee (D- Lynn) said dismantling the MTA will not be enough to financially salvage the Mass Pike, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority nor Massachusetts Highway System.’

‘The toll increase is unacceptable,’ McGee said. ‘It puts the entire burden on commuters from the North Shore, when the whole state needs to be part of the whole solution.’

Officials do not know at this time to what extent the proposed action will affect the $20 billion of debt, McGee said.’

‘In general, MassPort will inherit some financial obligation and revenue stream from tolls, but they will need to find some other source of revenue,’ Jessen said.