Vanilla

Get used to tolls: that is likely the only politically tenable way to reduce vehicle trips into the GVRD's centre. Gas taxes are going to be a one way ticket out of power for whoever tries to implement them, I would assume. Our carbon tax is ridiculously low, IMHO.

Look at congestion pricing in London: bout $20 bux to drive into town. And when you pull up to the pump in Europe, you had better have your heart meds nearby.

Reality is, as the population of our area continues to grow, there will simply not be room for all the cars. Look for that bridge to operate at full capacity from day one, regardless of toll price.

In a sensible world, we would all understand the value of heavy investment in serious people moving equipment like the Skytrain, light rail, and rapid bus. But of course you can't reverse the habits formed by several decades of stupidity North America has enjoyed with respect to the automobile's free ride overnight.

So we will build huge bridges, and toll them, and that tax will help the plebes to realize that we should finally build the rapid transit networks that we should have focussed on in the first place.

With the current congestions, it will get worse before it gets any better. They need to improve/widen the highways soon.

In the US the number of lanes at least double what we have here. Just try travelling through California on the freeways...San Francisco & LA...you'd be really frustrated. You'll see what its like even closer to here...just head down to Seattle mid afternoon...you'll see.

Seems the roadway improvements are always catching up to the times. People were complaining about the Coquihalla when it was built and had to pay the $10 toll...but look at the bigger benefit and what it did for BC communities like Okanagan and Shuswap areas....Shuswap areas grew at least 4 folds in the last 30 years and the Okanagan has seen huge growth.

for those who don't like the tolls, try any other MAJOR city in North America - highway tolls are a way of life. The 407 Highway in Toronto is about a $25 run from one end to the other.....but cuts a travellers commute from 90+ mins to 20-30 mins, roughly.

$3, or an hour of frustration. Take your pick.