More fuel added to the road pricing fire
The Port Mann Bridge is where Surrey and other South Fraser residents already participate in road pricing A group of academics and former politicians is adding fuel to an already-raging fire. The fire is the issue of paying to use infrastructure to get around in urban areas, which in Canada and many other places are becoming increasingly congested. There was plenty of discussion about urban congestion in the recent federal election, with all three major parties promising to spend more on infrastructure. Significantly, tolls and road pricing were barely mentioned. Many Surrey, Delta, White Rock and other South Fraser residents are already paying a form of congestion tax. As the primary users of the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges, they pay every time they cross. There are minimal alternatives. The Pattullo Bridge is supposedly the “free” alternative to the Port Mann, but it is in poor condition and is itself badly-congested. There are regular closures to do the minimal...