If all bridges were tolled $1, there wouldn't be congestion at untolled crossings: Delta's mayor

DELTA (NEWS 1130) – Spreading the toll pain across every bridge would ensure more natural traffic flows, claims Delta’s mayor, as she renews calls for regional tolling.

Mayor Lois Jackson claims if all bridges were tolled at $1, we wouldn’t see congestion at untolled crossings like the Alex Fraser.

Looking at 2011 numbers showing how many people are driving over regional bridges, Jackson suggests her plan would bring in as much as $300 million, which she says could be used to fund regional transportation projects.

“It would put everybody on the same fare footing that crosses a very expensive bridge, whichever one it might be,” says Jackson. “As we know, in the long run, they’re all going to have to either be replaced or major upgrades.”

Metro Vancouver Chair Greg Moore says $1 per crossing would likely be too low.

“From my recollection, when we did this work a couple of years ago, the $1 figure is low,” says Moore. “It wouldn’t even cover the cost of the two existing [tolled] bridges and the repayment of that debt, nevermind pay for new tolling structures.

“So I think we need to look at it as a system-wide approach, not looking it as individual bridges or individual points, but how are we overall using the transportation system?”

While Moore believes that $1 figure is too low, he says it’s a good time to have a conversation about road pricing and way to finance needed transportation changes in the years ahead.