Saint John bridge tolls set to double

Saint John's Harbour Bridge authorityis preparing to hike tollsfor the first time in 38 years, from 25 centsto 50 cents per crossing.

For electronic passes, the fare would go from 15 cents a trip to 30 cents.

The authority has made a formal request to the federal government for the increase. If approved, the change would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2007.

Bridge authority general manager Ken Anthony says the harbour span is almost 40 years old, and the money is needed for repairs.He says anengineering report shows that thebridge's underside, the supports, the piers and the roadway will have to be refurbished over the next 10 years.

"We've looked at options over the last year and a half, and the way our cash flow is, we need an increase Jan. 1 or else we're going to be basically out of money," he said.

Anthony says the authority can't continue to maintain the bridge at 2006 prices with a toll set in 1968. He says extra money is also needed to increase payments on the bridge's $22.6-milliondebt owed to the federal government.

The 25-cent toll charged for crossing the Saint John bridge is among the cheapest in Canada.Drivers crossing either ofthe two harbour bridges in Halifaxmust pay 75 cents per crossing.