News Release Archive
TRANSPORTATION/COMMUNICATIONS--HIGHWAY 104 TOLLS RESPONSE ------------------------------------------------------------ People with disabilities should not be affected by tolls on the new Highway 104 Western Alignment, Transportation and Communications Minster Richie Mann said today. "Only non-local truck traffic will be required to use the toll road, so anyone travelling in a car or an ambulance will be able to travel on the existing road," said Mr. Mann. "The League for Equal Opportunities has obviously been misinformed on the intent and the impact of the toll." The minister noted that the construction of the new Western Alignment, in a two-year time frame, would significantly improve the safety of the existing road by relieving the congestion and by removing the large number of trucks. "Right now, the safety concerns on Highway 104 are related to the mix of high speed, through and truck traffic with the slower local traffic. This situation will not exist with the opening of the new road," he said. Mr. Mann said that staff from his department would have been available to explain the implications of the toll road if the League had called or written seeking information. The Western Alignment will be constructed through a public-private partnership over a 20 month construction schedule. The expedited construction is possible because of the private participation in the financing of the road. -30- Contact: Donna McCready 902-424-8687 jlw Feb. 05, 1996 5:30 p.m.