Should bridges be brand named?
Posted January 22, 2013 8:49 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – How does Lululemon Lions Gate Bridge sound to you? Or how about the Steve Nash Steveston Highway?
South of the border, Washington State is looking at allowing corporate branding some of their transportation infrastructure. News1130 is looking into whether buying the right to name highways, view points, rest areas and bridges could work here.
The American bill, HB 1051, would allow private companies to buy the rights, and it has a hearing next week. Sponsors of the bill say the money raised could offset the need for tolls.
Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender says it might be worth looking into any avenue that would help defray the costs of infrastructure.
How about the Whistler-Blackcomb Highway or Pattison Port Mann?
Or perhaps taking the TD Canada Trust Taylor Way and you’ll eventually get on Save-On-Foods Cypress Road.
Fassbender says you have to look at the pros and cons of naming rights and what kind of revenue would actually be generated.
“We need a lot of financial support to give people what they want. I don’t think that those things raise huge amounts of money, I think they do have the potential to raise some, but you have to balance that with what you’re giving up at the same time.”
Fassbender says he’s not closed minded about corporate branding as long you get good input from the public.
In the Evergreen State, name changes would have to be approved by the State Transportation Commission, and the rates would also be set by the commission.
And you won’t be seeing the Lucky Strike Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the proposal declares that no tobacco companies or adult entertainment based companies can apply for sponsorship.
