Critics slamming the Liberals for not waiving bridge tolls
Posted July 20, 2013 8:26 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS1130) – Have the Liberals broken their promise of a free crossing over the Fraser River?
Critics are pouncing on the provincial government for not waiving Port Mann tolls during the Pattullo closures.
The Ministry of Transportation says the Alex Fraser and Massey Tunnel are still good options, despite being more than twice as far.
Vancouver-Fairview MLA and NDP TransLink critic George Heyman says these are not reasonable options. “British Columbians crossing have now the choice only of paying the tolls, or driving a much longer distance, burning more gasoline and wasting more of their precious weekend time.”
“The Liberals made a promise to British Columbians that there would be a reasonable toll-free alternative. They made that promise, people accepted it in good faith, they should keep their word,” he says.
The Pattullo Bridge will be closed until Monday at 3 a.m. It’s the first of three closures this summer for construction.
Don’t worry if you have to get taken to Royal Columbian Hospital at the north end of the Pattullo Bridge.
Tasleem Juma with Fraser Health says they have an arraignment with TransLink to let emergency vehicles across.
“All of our emergency services partners, such as BC Ambulance or the fire department, will have access across the Pattullo Bridge this weekend. We’ve been assured that gaining access across the bridge won’t be an issue for us.”
She adds Royal Columbian always has contingency plans in place since it’s one of the main trauma centres in the Lower Mainland.
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