B.C.’s new transportation minister is making no promises when it comes to tolls on the new Port Mann Bridge.
Mary Polak says we’ll have to wait and see if the government goes ahead with its initial plan for one-way tolls of $ 3, or finds some way to lower the cost.
“We have to work that out between ourselves and the ministry of finance. We’re balancing the need to have a system in the bridge, and in the transit that’s paid for, while at the same time making sure it’s affordable for families. So we’ll have more to say on that in the coming weeks.”
The government says tolls are needed to cover the $ 3.3-billion cost of building and maintaining the new crossing, which will open three lanes to eastbound traffic later this month.
Fares will not be charged until December at the earliest.