The forecast is for sunshine and warmth on Sunday for the 32nd annual Terry Fox Run so there are no excuses for giving the big event a pass this year. For details about each of the Tri-Cities’ four Terry Fox Runs, and other Fox-related news, see story on page A14.
THE FRIDAY
CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2012
SEPT. 14, 2012
TRI-CITY NEWS CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2012
Climate change debate
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Tri-City Spotlight/A23 Books Plus/A28 Brian Minter/A30 Sports/A45
Tolls down to attract drivers Monthly pass and other incentives are also offered By Jeff Nagel BLACK PRESS
Drivers crossing the new Port Mann Bridge will pay $1.50 a trip — half the price previously announced — as an introductory toll, and the provincial government is dangling more incentives to encourage users to sign up early. The cut rate applies for the first three months — until the end of February — but those who register for a tolling account by then will be guaranteed the half-price toll for the first year, Transportation Minister Mary Polak announced Wednesday. And those who sign up by Nov. 30 also get a $30 credit, equivalent to 20 free crossings. A fur-
BLACK PRESS FILE PHOTO
The new Port Mann Bridge (shown here under construction next to the old bridge) will soon have three eastbound lanes open — and reduced tolls for up to a year. ther 25% discount previously promised for registered HOV lane users during peak hours will apply on top of the introductory rate, meaning commuters who car pool will pay $1.13 per crossing for the first year. Frequent bridge users can also opt for an unlimited pass — $75 per month for standard vehicles that register early. The introductory discount is being justified
on the basis that only eight of 10 lanes of the new bridge will be operational when it opens in December, as the final two can’t be used through 2013 while the old bridge is being dismantled. “ We c o n c l u d e d we could and should sharpen our pencils on the initial toll rate,” Polak said. see TARGET: 80%, page A12
For sale: school land By Diane Strandberg THE TRI-CITY NEWS
FIRE IN THE HOLE
GARY MCKENNA/THE TRI-CITY NEWS
Port Moody Fire-Rescue personnel practise using a hose to pull a firefighter up through a hole in the floor. The exercise was conducted at the department’s temporary training facility on Clarke Street. See story and photos on page A3.
School District 43 is consulting with parents, neighbours and staff about the merits of selling off two strips of school property at a pair of Coquitlam elementary schools to raise funds for capital projects. Meetings were expected to be held with staff and parent advisory council representatives from Parkland and Porter Street elementary
OPINIONS: YOURS & OURS More on selling off school land: editorial on page A10 and vote in our online poll at tricitynews.com schools yesterday and today, and flyers distributed to neighbours to gauge opinion on the potential subdivision of the lots into 17 singlefamily properties. Two drop-in meetings for the public are
planned for Sept. 26 and 27, and the district will seek online input as well after the board approved a consultation process at its meeting Tuesday night. see TEST FOR, page A15