Motorists traveling on either of the two bridges over Halifax Harbor may be wondering when tolls will be eliminated, as promised by Nova Scotia’s newly re-elected premier.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday after lawmakers were sworn in, Tim Houston said he didn’t really have a timetable for the tolls.
“It’s probably a question of budget,” he told reporters Tuesday, while addressing a series of topics.
During the election campaign, Houston promised that if his PC party was re-elected to a second term, it would eliminate tolls on the MacKay and Macdonald bridges “by April 1.”
The tolls on the two bridges, which are operated by a state-owned company called Halifax Harbor Bridgesrange from $1 for those with a pass to $1.25 for drivers who pay cash at tolls.
Houston said at the time that the promise would cost about $40 million a year, but was expected to reduce traffic congestion and save drivers time.
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“I would prefer to think of this as both a $40 million tax cut for Nova Scotia drivers and a $40 million investment to reduce traffic time and give you (the drivers) more time back. drivers),” he said on October 29.
An estimated 110,000 vehicles cross the two bridges daily.
On Tuesday, Houston said there were still details to be worked out for tolls to be removed — and that he didn’t think infrastructure changes were necessary for his campaign promise to come to fruition.
“Obviously there are people working there. And in fact, of the tolls that have been collected, you know, some of it certainly goes to overhead. So there are people who work there. So we are aware of that,” he said.
“I think tolls can be removed without removing all infrastructure. I don’t think this will cause a delay. But I think we are working on it and it will be a budget item.
A spokesperson for Halifax Harbor Bridges told Global News there were no updates to share on the toll issue and they did not expect any new information on the subject until after the news. year.
— with a file from The Canadian Press
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