Congestion costs money, says TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast.

Tell us about it. Residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows waited decades for a new bridge, all the while spending what amounted to years sitting in gridlock while trying to cross the Pitt or Fraser rivers. All that time, all that gas, we’ll never get back.

But now we have a new suspension bridge, shiny as gold, and another one to open within several months.

So far, traffic across the Golden Ears Bridge has been light, although the Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge was a bit busy on the weekend as either folks from Surrey and Langley came to check out what’s on the north side of the river, or local residents were returning from shopping trips on the south side.

Congestion is expected to increase on the highway, which will leave people looking for alternative ways to commute.

But don’t expect much help from TransLink.

While Prendergast said the transportation authority is discussing more track time for West Coast Express with CP Rail, that will cost money. He’s open to keeping the Port Haney West Coast Express station open if or when a new one opens in Albion (possibly within 10 years, he said), but it depends on ridership.

And the No. 595 bus to SkyTrain in New Westminster, that’s only going to happen if the province kicks in some money.

TransLink has to do what’s best for the region, Prendergast said.

Ridership is revenue, which is why TransLink is considering new SkyTrain lines to UBC and Surrey, and why Maple Ridge will largely be left out of TransLink’s new 10-year plan.

Transit improvements and congestion both cost money; the commuter pays either way. Only in Maple Ridge, the commuter pays, but sees no transit improvements. And that’s the price of living here.

– The News