New road won’t take its toll on B.C. truckers

VANCOUVER — In an effort to steer truck traffic out of a few Lower Mainland communities, the B.C. government will avoid tolling the new South Fraser Perimeter Road.

To improve infrastructure in B.C., the government is partnering with the private sector to finance construction projects and generating revenue from tolls will be part of the process. Tolls are only expected to be applied if there is a reasonable free alternative available.

So, unlike other planned construction projects — like the twinned Port Mann Bridge — truckers will not have to fork over pocket change to travel the South Fraser Perimeter Road.

A spokesperson for the transportation ministry told the Delta Optimist the goal of the perimeter road is to divert truck traffic, therefore it would defeat the purpose of building the new road if truckers elected not to use it because they had to pay.

The B.C. Trucking Association applauded the decision, saying the government correctly recognized the traffic volumes that will be generated on the new highway don’t justify adding tolls.

The SFPR project is part of the B.C.’s Gateway Program. The new 40-km, four-lane route along the south side of the Fraser River will provide a continuous and efficient route to serve the port facilities, rail yards and industrial areas along this key economic corridor.

The perimeter road will stretch from Delta to Surrey, with connections to Highways 1, 91, 99, and to TransLink’s new Golden Ears Bridge connector.

Construction is expected to begin in 2009 with completion in 2012.