A trip south of the Fraser River will soon be a whole lot cheaper.
Premier John Horgan Friday morning announced that effective Sept. 1 the government will eliminate the tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges.
“We’re taking immediate action to make life more affordable and get people moving by scrapping unfair tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges,” Horgan said. “This is just one of many steps we’ll be taking in the coming weeks and months to make life easier for families throughout British Columbia.”
According to a government press release, the move will save drivers who have to regularly cross the Fraser River an average of $1,500 a year. Commercial drivers averaging one crossing a day will save $4,500 a year or more.
About 121,000 vehicles cross the Port Mann Bridge on a daily basis, with another 40,000 taking the Golden Ears Bridge.
“Many people have been travelling out of their way to avoid tolls because they simply cannot afford them,” Horgan said. “Getting rid of tolls will shorten commute times and clear up other routes, so people can spend less time stuck in traffic and more time with their families.”
Currently it costs between $3.15 and $9.45 (depending on the size of the vehicle) to cross the Port Mann and between $3.20 and $10.70 to cross the Golden Ears Bridge.
The tolls will remain in effect until the end of the month, and bills for tolls up to and including Aug. 31 will still need to be paid.
