Golden Ears Value of a Direct Link

May 02, 2012

The value of a direct link
Golden Ears Bridge traffic shows healthy increase

The Golden Ears Bridge continues to develop as a key element in the movement of goods and people around the Lower Mainland. In the first quarter of 2012, bridge traffic increased by
12 per cent compared to the same period in 2011, to just under 2.5 million crossings.

According to unaudited data from the automated tolling system, approximately 260,000 more vehicles crossed the bridge than in the first quarter of 2011. Using the lowest passenger vehicle toll rate ($2.90), 2012 first-quarter revenue from the bridge is about $750,000 more than the same period the year before. These results build on the growing trend in 2011, which saw a 12.5 per cent increase in bridge traffic over 2010, with nearly 9.8 million vehicles crossing the bridge.

“More and more motorists are discovering the value of the Golden Ears Bridge as a much-needed direct link across the Fraser River,” says Ian Jarvis, TransLink Chief Executive Officer. “The bridge has been a major investment to boost the livability of the Ridge Meadows and South of Fraser areas and is an important part of our integrated transportation network.”
 
Factors contributing to the growing trend include increasing awareness about the bridge benefits in time and cost savings for users; economic and population growth in the local areas on each side of the bridge; fewer snowy days that tend to keep drivers off the roads; and drivers choosing to use the bridge to avoid construction in other areas. The Golden Ears Bridge also provides another public transit option with the #595 Langley Centre/Haney Place bus, with connections to West Coast Express or SkyTrain (via #791 Braid Stn) and will stop at the Carvolth Park and Ride in Langley when it is completed along with the new Port Mann Bridge.

The Golden Ears Bridge is built to serve the region for the next 100 years.