B.C. is officially toll-free.
There is no doubt a sigh of relief for many commuters Friday as bridge tolls on the Port Mann Bridge and the Golden Ears Bridge are no more.
Motorists who used the bridges before Friday are being told to settle up their bills.
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Removing the tolls is not only expected to provide relief for people’s pocketbooks but ease congestion on the busy Pattullo Bridge, which people have been using to avoid the tolls on the other bridges.
“Over the short-term, we’ll probably see a drop in traffic on the Pattullo Bridge,” said Eugene Wat, the New Westminster manager of infrastructure and planning.
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“Since the toll has gone on the New Port Mann in 2012, we’ve seen an increase on the Pattullo, about 20 per cent more traffic.”
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Any final outstanding bills will need to be settled within 90 days.