Truckers can now call Saint John bridge toll free

SAINT JOHN – The federal government will split the cost to repair the 40-year-old Saint John Harbour bridge and forgive $22-million in debt in return for tolls being scrapped and the bridge transferring to the province.

Under the agreement, the tolls will be moved in March.

It’s likely that the Harbour Bridge Authority will also be disbanded.

"It will strengthen trade and transport corridors within the province in support of the Atlantic Gateway," said Prime Minister Harper in making the announcement. "It will benefit the transportation industry and other regional businesses. It will help create jobs over the long term."

Officials must still decide what to do with the toll plaza structures as well as other outstanding issues such as crediting drivers who have pre-paid their transponders for next year.

Jean-Marc Picard, the executive director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association welcomed the news.

He told CBC that the removal of tolls would save money for the operators of the 1,000 trucks that cross the bridge daily as well as their customers.