Prince Albert city council passed a motion to look into the possibility of tolling the Diefenbaker Bridge. (Jeff Labine/PaNOW)

By Justin Blackwell

Toll Bridge

Waskesiu chamber against idea of a toll for the bridge in Prince Albert

Jul 24, 2019 | 9:04 AM

Count Waskesiu among those against a toll for the Diefenbaker Bridge in Prince Albert.

The city council in that city is considering the idea now that a report on the costs and potential revenues has been released.

It would cost $1.3 million to install a toll that would read your license plate and another $300,000 to maintain. The report suggests revenues could be as high as $4.5 million each year.

Gord Bueckert with the Waskesiu Chamber isn’t on board with the idea.

“Adding a tax to cross the bridge gives an advantage to resort communities in the south and also out of province,” said Bueckert.

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While Bueckert agrees a new bridge is needed, there are other ways to go about getting the money needed.

“I think at the bargaining table with the city of Prince Albert, the province and federal government is a better way to accomplish that,” said Bueckert.

There are a number of steps that need to be taken before a toll becomes a reality, including approval from the province, public consultations and dealing with privacy issues around recording and storing vehicle information.