Dear Editor:
Re: Residents call for tolls on Pattullo Bridge to reduce traffic congestion, The Record, March 13.
The new Port Mann Bridge has been making a positive difference in people's lives since it opened on Dec. 1. That's why it's important to clarify a few points in Theresa McManus' article.
Tolling on the Port Mann Bridge has only been in place for three months and we are monitoring traffic patterns and volumes closely. The volumes can vary from day to day and week to week, which is consistent with the experience in other jurisdictions.
It typically takes a number of months for traffic patterns to normalize after tolling is implemented.
Since December, traffic volumes on the Port Mann Bridge are about where we expected they would be; and are generally consistent with the volumes we saw at this time last year - approximately 100,000 vehicles per day are using the new Port Mann Bridge. This includes truck traffic which is also consistent with pre-tolling numbers.
I can also advise that Port Mann/Highway 1 Project staff have been in touch with TransLink regarding Pattullo traffic volumes. TransLink data indicates that there has been no appreciable difference in Pattullo truck volumes since tolling began on the new Port Mann Bridge.
Staff continue to work with Surrey to understand where their number projections come from.
Mary Polak, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
