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Local mayors say they have already noticed a shift in traffic since tolls were removed from two Lower Mainland bridges last week.

On Sept. 1, the NDP government followed through on its campaign promise to cancel tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges, calling them unfair to those living south of the Fraser River.

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Eliminating tolls is expected to save commuters who cross the bridges twice each weekday about $1,500 a year. Commercial vehicle users could save up to $4,500 a year.

New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Coté said his city has observed a shift in traffic away from the Pattullo Bridge, which was not tolled, to the Port Mann.

“I think that definitely reinforces what the City of New Westminster has been saying for a long time: that the previous tolling system was kind of done haphazardly and in a way that was redistributing traffic in the region in a way that was not equitable and in a way that was actually creating congestion points in the region,” he said.