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METRO VANCOUVER — The $800-million Golden Ears Bridge is expected to open to traffic next month, several weeks earlier than planned.
TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast was expected to announce Monday morning the opening date of the bridge, which will connect Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with Surrey and Langley.
The bridge was originally scheduled to open July 1, but it`s understood it will now open several weeks earlier, shortly after an opening celebration June 14.
The public is invited to the pedestrians-only celebration, which will feature entertainment and activities on the bridge deck.
TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said the bridge was likely completed more quickly partly because of incentives offered to the contractors, who can start collecting operating and capital payments as soon as the bridge is open.
"There`s no huge mystery or revelation for the bridge opening earlier than scheduled, other than that the work`s been done," Hardie said.
Once the bridge officially opens, vehicles will be able to cross it toll-free for 30 days. After that, drivers must pay a toll and can get a discount by registering for a Quickpass transponder, an electronic tolling device that can be leased from TransLink for $1 a month.
More than 2,000 people have already registered for a transponder, which attaches to the front dashboard. The transponder and licence plates link to information leading to the address of the vehicle`s owner.
Read the full article here.
TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast was expected to announce Monday morning the opening date of the bridge, which will connect Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with Surrey and Langley.
The bridge was originally scheduled to open July 1, but it`s understood it will now open several weeks earlier, shortly after an opening celebration June 14.
The public is invited to the pedestrians-only celebration, which will feature entertainment and activities on the bridge deck.
TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said the bridge was likely completed more quickly partly because of incentives offered to the contractors, who can start collecting operating and capital payments as soon as the bridge is open.
"There`s no huge mystery or revelation for the bridge opening earlier than scheduled, other than that the work`s been done," Hardie said.
Once the bridge officially opens, vehicles will be able to cross it toll-free for 30 days. After that, drivers must pay a toll and can get a discount by registering for a Quickpass transponder, an electronic tolling device that can be leased from TransLink for $1 a month.
More than 2,000 people have already registered for a transponder, which attaches to the front dashboard. The transponder and licence plates link to information leading to the address of the vehicle`s owner.
Read the full article here.