Canada's new government approves annual adjustment to toll r

[totalmotorcycle]

Canada's new government approves annual adjustment to toll rates for the Confederation Bridge
Thursday, December 7, 2006 - CNW Group - newswire.ca




OTTAWA, Dec. 6 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced the approval of the
annual adjustment to toll rates for the Confederation Bridge submitted by
Strait Crossing Development Inc., the bridge operator.
"Canada's New Government is committed to ensuring the safety and security
of all users of Canadian roads and bridges," said Minister Cannon. "The
adjusted toll rates will continue to provide financial support to manage and
maintain the bridge and ensure the safety of travellers crossing the
Confederation Bridge."
Under the 1993 Bridge Operating Agreement signed between the Government
of Canada and Strait Crossing Development Inc., the bridge operator is
entitled to adjust toll rates to inflation every January 1st by an amount not
exceeding three-quarters (75 per cent) of the increase in the Consumer Price
Index over the previous calendar year. As per this agreement, this adjustment
has been reviewed and approved by the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure
and Communities to ensure the calculations are in accordance with the Bridge
Operating Agreement.
"Compared to 2006, the year to year inflation adjustment results in a
$0.25 increase for all types of vehicles for 2007, except for motorcycles,
pedestrians and cyclists," reported Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager of
Strait Crossing Bridge Limited. "Also, the charge for every additional axle
remains unchanged at $6.75."
The adjusted-to-inflation toll rates will apply as of January 1, 2007.
For more information on the adjusted toll rates, visit the Confederation
Bridge website at www.confederationbridge.com
A backgrounder with further information on toll rates for the
Confederation Bridge is attached.


<<
Backgrounder
------------

TOLL RATES FOR THE CONFEDERATION BRIDGE
---------------------------------------

In 1993, Strait Crossing Development Inc. signed agreements with the
Government of Canada to finance, design, construct and operate a bridge across
the Northumberland Strait between New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. As
of 1997, its subsidiary company, Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, privately
manages, maintains and operates the bridge until 2032, after which time such
operations will be transferred to the Government of Canada. Over this 35-year
period, the bridge operator has the right to collect tolls, which are
considered essential to the financial sustainability of the bridge.
The Confederation Bridge toll rates are governed by the Bridge Operating
Agreement. The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities must
approve all toll rate changes.
Under the 1993 Bridge Operating Agreement, the bridge operator is entitled
to adjust toll rates to inflation every January 1st by an amount not exceeding
three-quarters (75 per cent) of the increase in the Consumer Price Index over
the previous calendar year. This adjustment must be reviewed and approved by
the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities to ensure the
calculations are in accordance with the Bridge Operating Agreement. Limiting
the increase to 75 per cent of inflation allows the tolls to gradually
decrease in real value over the 35-year period.

Toll rates for 2007 are as follows:

Motorcycle $ 16.25
2 axles $ 40.75
3 axles $ 47.50
4 axles $ 54.25
5 axles $ 61.00
6 axles $ 67.75
7 axles $ 74.50
Truck with two trailers $ 91.50
Pedestrian $ 4.00
Cyclist $ 8.00

December 2006
>>



For further information: Contacts: Natalie Sarafian, Press Secretary,
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa,
(613) 991-0700; Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager, Strait Crossing Bridge
Limited, P.E.I., (902) 437-7304; Danny Kingsberry, Communications, Transport
Canada, Ottawa, (613) 993-0055; Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/and keep
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