Tolling on the new Port Mann Bridge begins Dec. 8, but more than 500,000 drivers who registered by Nov. 30 won't pay a toll for their first 20 trips.

The more than half-million TReO registrations in the 10 weeks preceding the opening of the new bridge makes the Port Mann tolling registration drive one of the most successful ever.

Almost one-third of the registrations occurred between Nov. 26 and Nov. 30, meaning many drivers may not receive their TReO decals before tolling begins on Saturday. Drivers that set up accounts and registered for decals by the deadline will receive the $30 account credit, equivalent to 20 free car crossings, and all applicable discounts will be automatically applied to their trips. Vehicles will be identified by license plate until decals are installed.

The tolling system is designed to be easy, electronic and efficient for drivers and for TReO. The system is most efficient when vehicles are identified by decal, and drivers are asked to install their decals as soon as they arrive. Decals are automatically recognized by the toll system, while license plate recognition requires an additional accuracy check to ensure the correct vehicle is identified and charged the toll. Reducing or eliminating this additional step keeps administration costs to a minimum.

In addition to the $30 account credit, a majority of drivers registered for the 25 per cent High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) discount. To receive the 25 per cent discount, drivers must have their vehicle registered for the HOV discount and travel in the HOV lane with at least two occupants. HOV discounts are in effect Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Opening the new bridge to eight lanes of traffic and Highway 1 improvements through Surrey and Langley complete the first and largest phase of the Port Mann / Highway 1 Improvement Project.

Construction will continue on the Port Mann Bridge and along the Highway 1 corridor through 2013. Phase two of the project includes adding one highway lane in each direction from Brunette Avenue to the Cassiar Tunnel in Vancouver and significant interchange improvements at Gaglardi, Sprott/Kensington, Willingdon, Grandview Highway and Boundary Road.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak -

"On Saturday, Dec. 1 the new Port Mann Bridge opened to traffic, and the bottleneck coming out of Surrey was cleared for the first time in a generation. Many drivers are cutting their commutes in half, with some saving up to an hour - time they can now spend with friends and family."

"And drivers are not the only ones saving time. Transit service has returned to the bridge for the first time in 25 years, connecting Langley to Braid SkyTrain station in 20 minutes."

Transportation Investment Corporation CEO Mike Proudfoot -

"Drivers shouldn't be concerned if they have not received a decal yet. They are on the way. Please install your decal as soon as it arrives. Decals are a key component of an efficient and accurate tolling system, which allows us to keep our costs down and run a lean, efficient operation."

"We're also reminding drivers that there is still more work to do on the project. When phase two of the project is complete, drivers can expect to save even more time, but in the meantime, crews will still be working nights to widen the highway between Coquitlam and Vancouver. Please drive with caution."

Learn More:

To register for a TReO account or to learn more about tolls on the Port Mann Bridge, visit: www.treo.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

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

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

BACKGROUNDER

Driver updates for Dec. 8

Highway 1 HOV Hours:

• HOV discounts take effect on Saturday, Dec. 8.
• HOV lanes on and east of the Port Mann Bridge are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• HOV lanes west of the Port Mann Bridge, where construction will continue through 2013, are in effect from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. The HOV lanes are open to all traffic outside of these times.
• 25 per cent HOV toll discounts are in effect on the Port Mann Bridge Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.to 6:00 p.m.

Ongoing Construction:

• Construction will continue on the Port Mann Bridge and along the Highway 1 corridor through 2013.
• Temporary lane closures may be in effect between 7:30 p.m. - 5:30 a.m. through Coquitlam, Burnaby and Vancouver as crews continue highway widening and interchange improvements.
• It is Transportation Investment Corporation's priority to minimize disruption during construction and maximize predictability for corridor users by limiting lane closures and traffic pattern changes to off-peak hours.
• Construction bulletins, emails, social media updates, phone calls and website updates will be used to communicate traffic and construction updates to stakeholders through the end of construction.

Media Contacts:

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

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