BURNABY (NEWS1130) – Local politicians are gathering to discuss regional tolling options with a panel of experts from across North America.

Drivers might not be fond of the idea, but the head of Simon Fraser University’s City Program says it’s only a matter of time before it happens.

“It’s going to happen at some point in our future,” insists Gord Price. “Don’t know when, but now is not too soon to start thinking about it and at least getting approval in principle without having to go in and retroactively impose tolls on projects people think that they’ve already paid for.”

He notes tolling only bridges across the region probably wouldn’t work. “That just creates so many regional inequities that it’s going to be very tough to pull off.

“However, a road pricing system using new technologies does make a lot of sense,” he points out.