BC Gov News

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak and Transportation Investment Corporation (TI Corp) CEO Mike Proudfoot will be hosting a live Twitter session on Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. where they will respond to questions about TReO and the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement (PMH1) Project.

Polak and Proudfoot will answer questions from TReO's Twitter account: @TReOPortMann

Participants can join the conversation by including #talktotreo in their tweets before or during the session.

#talktotreo will provide a venue for drivers to ask questions about the new Port Mann Bridge, its imminent opening, how tolling works or anything else they would like to know before the new bridge opens on Saturday.

More than 300,000 people have already signed up to secure the half-price introductory toll rate for a full year and receive the $30 account credit. To secure the introductory rate for a full year, drivers must register by Feb. 28, 2013.

The new Port Mann Bridge will officially open with eight lanes on Saturday, Dec. 1, and the first week of operation will be toll free. This toll-free period will give drivers a chance to use the bridge free of charge, allowing them to experience firsthand the time-saving benefits provided by the world's widest bridge.

Once complete, the new Port Mann Bridge will eliminate the worst traffic bottleneck in British Columbia, reducing commute times by up to 50 per cent and saving drivers as much as an hour per day to spend with their families and at other important activities.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"Be sure to take advantage of introductory toll rates and 20 free trips by registering for your free decal by November 30."

"If you want to talk tolls, join our Twitter town hall and tweet your questions to me using #talktotreo."

TI Corp CEO Mike Proudfoot -

"With less than a week to go before the bridge opens with eight lanes we want to ensure drivers are registered with TReO and understand how the system works. #talktotreo will allow us to communicate easily, electronically and efficiently with our customers to answer any questions they may have about the new service."

Media Contacts:

Greg Johnson
Manager, Communications
Transportation Investment Corporation
778 783-1220

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241