Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission Act Introduced

Finance Minister Peter Christie introduced legislation today, May 10, that would allow the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission to provide its MACPASS technology to other authorities.

"The bridge commission is looking for ways of improving service to its customers and the efficiency of its operations," said Mr. Christie. "The new Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission Act will allow the commission to move forward with these plans."

The commission's mandate is currently limited to constructing, maintaining and operating bridges across the harbour.

The new legislation would give the bridge commission the authority to explore the viability of offering a single-account system that would allow additional authorities to use the same technology for electronic collection systems.

The bill also addresses a number of housekeeping issues that include revising geographical and other relevant terms and updating the board's composition with staggered term appointments.

MACPASS is the form of payment for 67,000 bridge users, accounting for 45 per cent of total vehicle crossings in 2004. Since the introduction of MACPASS technology, bridge traffic has continued to grow to 31.7 million vehicle crossings per year -- an increase of nine per cent since 1998.