January 29, 2009
Port Mann Bridge: The Right Bridge, The Right Plan
NDP MLA Bruce Ralston continues to echo Carole James position on the Port Mann bridge project - "wrong bridge, wrong plan" by attacking the governments plan to build a new Port Mann Bridge. Here are the facts on the Port Mann bridge project:
- Lower mainland residents are tired of being stuck in traffic, the existing Port Mann Bridge is congested up to 14 hours a day.
- Traffic is so bad public transit has not been able to use the bridge for more than 20 years.
- It is estimated this congestion costs the region’s economy up to $1.5 billion annually.
- That is why the BC Liberal government is building a new Port Mann bridge that will double existing capacity from five to ten lanes with dedicated transit and HOV lanes.
- This investment could help commuters cut their travel time by between 5 and 30 percent due to reduced congestion and idling.
- The project will also re-establish bus service across the Port Mann Bridge for the first time in over 20 years, allowing commuters to travel all the way from Langley to Coquitlam or Burnaby in less than 25 minutes on public transit.
