In some ways, it was a celebratory day for the provincial government.
“This project was built on budget, on time, and it will be paid off by the original timeframe that was set,” said Transportation Minister Todd Stone, announcing that work on the $3.3 billion Port Mann Bridge and surrounding highways had officially been completed.
“If we had not gone forward with this project, the traffic would be bumper to bumper through here, just like it was only three years ago,” he said at a press conference in Surrey.
But for others, the announcement marked an another opportunity to point out issues that have arisen in the last three years while the bridge has been opened.
The Port Mann is losing more money than expected, the number of drivers on the bridge went down last year, and rates on the tolled bridge were increased by a higher amount than expected earlier this summer.
READ MORE: Port Mann Bridge tolls going up August 15
“We have less traffic on this new bridge, after $3.3 billion spent on taxpayer money, than what they had on the old bridge,” said Harry Bains, NDP MLA for Surrey-Newton.
“Originally they said the tolls would be raised by 2 per cent, this year they were raised by 5 per cent. So if that is a sign for things to come, then I think we have pretty bad news coming.”
It’s likely traffic will go back up next year, but that too might cause increased frustration. $100 million in rehabilitation begins on the Pattullo Bridge next year, which will close it every night and weekend for 18 months.
“Unfortunately, traffic started to divert to the free alternative,” said New Westminster Jonathan Cote, whose community now has more heavy truck traffic going through residential streets.
“I think we need to find a better approach where you don’t have that kind of traffic diversion. Certainly, a brand new Pattullo Bridge, tolled, will start to relieve some of those issues, but I think regionally, we need to find something more equitable,” said Cote.
The provincial government says that to encourage more people to take the Port Mann, they’ll be putting eight overhead message signs on Highway 1, which will display a driver’s time to key destinations.
“This travel time information will reinforce the benefits of the Port Mann Bridge and confirm what many drivers already know – they’re saving significant time by choosing Highway 1,” said Irene Kerr, President and CEO, Transportation Investment Corporation.
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