Times
Lili Hits the Road
The Langley
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Bottleneck cleared as Port Mann Bridge officially opens Free week a honeymoon before impact of tolls hits on Saturday, Dec. 8 Jeff Nagel Black Press
It’s smooth sailing for Highway 1 commuters between Surrey and Coquitlam this week after the new Port Mann Bridge officially opened Saturday with eight lanes flowing. Drivers raved about the new bridge — and their ability to cross it in record time — after its first big test of weekday conditions on Monday. “The easiest commute in ages,” tweeted Langley motorist Evangel Biaison. “Just crossed the Port Mann during rush hour without bumper to bumper traffic for the first time in my life,” said Twitter user ‘Taj,’ who estimated he saved 20 to 25 minutes. Student Avneet Sidhu said he got to class 30 minutes early because of the bridge. There’s still congestion elsewhere on Highway 1 — the freeway is narrower in Burnaby, where construction will continue through 2013, and long waits were reported heading for the Brunette Avenue exit. But B.C.’s biggest bottleneck has been unplugged. The world’s widest bridge had already been running with the normal five lanes — three eastbound and two westbound — but Saturday’s ceremonial removal of traffic cones opened up three more lanes, instantly transforming traffic conditions.
“After years of waiting, drivers get to enjoy a faster, more efficient commute and will have more time to spend with their family instead of sitting in an idling car,” Premier Christy Clark said at the opening. Port Mann/Highway 1 officials had projected some commutes between Surrey and Coquitlam would fall by two-thirds to just over 10 minutes. The convenience will only be free this week. Starting on Saturday, regular drivers will pay an introductory toll of $1.50 per crossing (more for larger vehicles) and that will increase to $3 by the end of 2013, or by March for drivers who don’t register before then with the TReO electronic tolling system. Frequent users can get an unlimited monthly pass — $75 a month while the half-price toll is in effect rising to $150 in a year’s time. How residents respond to the tolls remains to be seen. There are fears drivers who refuse to pay will then clog the free Pattullo Bridge, Alex Fraser Bridge and even the Massey Tunnel. The northeast section of the South Fraser Perimeter Road is also now open, providing a new link through Surrey to the Pattullo Bridge for motorists seeking a free untolled crossing. But since westbound traffic would have to get on the SFPR at 176 Street, much toll-averse traffic must wend its way through Surrey roads to get to the Pattullo before facing already severe congestion in New Westminster. Some drivers are dead set against having to pay to drive over a bridge and vow to boycott the bridge. continued, PAGE 5
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HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Joannie Rochette, bronze medalist at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, was one of the main attractions at the 2012 Holiday Festival on Ice at the Langley Events Centre on Saturday night. For more photos from the event, see page 25.
Langley officer faced armed, crazed man on Xmas Eve MoNique TaMMiNga Times Reporter
It was Christmas Eve, 2009, and Langley RCMP Cpl. Joel Glen was working as a road supervisor when he was called out to a domestic dispute. Sadly, Christmas can bring out the worst in
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some and domestic disputes keep police busy during the holidays. On his way to the call, Glen had been briefed that a man had threatened his common-law wife with a knife and was trashing the inside of their apartment. continued, PAGE 3
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