New Westminster council will consider a recommendation asking the province to immediately adjust the tolling structure for heavy trucks on the Port Mann Bridge to discourage them from using the Pattullo Bridge as a “free alternative.”

The considerations, which will go before council Monday, are among four recommendations suggested by city staff after a preliminary review of traffic date on Royal Avenue, McBride Boulevard and the Pattullo Bridge, found traffic had increased significantly with the introduction of tolls on the Port Mann.

The review found the average daily traffic on McBride during September, October and November 2012 before the Port Mann tolls went into effect was about 36,700 vehicles per day, including 450 heavy trucks. That compares to 40,100 vehicle per day, with about 495 heavy trucks, during June, July and August this year.

“The general observation indicates that the total daily traffic volume between the two periods has increased by 3,400 vehicles per day …” the staff report noted.

Traffic on Royal Avenue, a four-lane city arterial route, rose by about 1,300 vehicles per day during the same two periods.

Staff is also suggesting that TransLink be requested to approve an extension of the current heavy truck ban on Royal Avenue to 24 hours, except for local deliveries, and establish regional tolling across Metro Vancouver as an immediate priority, or ban them altogether.

TransLink is in the midst of negotiating with Surrey and New Westminster on whether to replace or rehabilitate the 76-year-old crossing.

ksinsoski@vancouversun.com