B.C. seeks to bill U.S. drivers using $3.3B toll bridge

The B.C. government plans to hire a private contractor to ensure that U.S. drivers pay the tolls on the new Port Mann Bridge, CBC News has learned.

It’s expected that the estimated 500,000 American visitors who cross the bridge every year in at least one direction could bring in more than $1.5 million a year.

Tolls are expected to be $3 each way across the $3.3-billion bridge, scheduled to open in December.

"In the event that we have visitors from the U.S., who have crossed a number of times, have an outstanding toll and haven't paid yet, then we're able to work with a company in the United States that would provide us with the contact information for those drivers," said Max Logan, of the Transportation Investment Corp.

Logan said government is now looking for companies that can track those drivers down through photos of their license plates.

But will an invoice in the mail be enough to make U.S. drivers pay? Logan said experience shows that most will honour the bill.

"About 75 per cent of people who receive an invoice letting them know that they owe some money do pay," he said.

Officials expect to have the U.S. billing system in place by the time the bridge opens.