Correction
Halifax Herald Article
"Road Tolls Could Greet Commuters on Drive to Work"
(Friday, March 28/2003)-- In an article by reporter Jeffrey Simpson, entitled "Road Tolls Could Greet Commuters on Drive to Work," which was published in today's edition of The Chronicle Herald, it was erroneously reported that the city and the province are looking at possibly putting tolls on existing roads as a way to raise more funds for much-needed improvement to local infrastructure.
This may have left an incorrect assumption with some readers that both levels of government intend to impose user fees on existing roads leading into the urban core. That is definitely incorrect and inaccurate.
For the record, Premier John Hamm has stated many times and again yesterday that his government remains opposed to toll roads. In addition, Halifax Regional Council has not yet dealt with this issue.
The issue was raised by reporters in a scrum at Province House yesterday following the Speech from the Throne. It is believed it stemmed from a report which aired the evening prior on Global Television.
Mayor Peter Kelly was asked by reporters to comment on the television report. He said user fees on new roads or HRM receiving a portion of the provincial Gasoline Sales Tax are just a couple of the many options that could be considered, in consultation with the public.
In addition, he reiterated that HRM and the Province are only at the very preliminary stage of considering establishment of a regional transportation authority, which would have responsibility for all streets/roads in HRM, commuter rail lines, public transit, ferries and the two harbour bridges within the municipality.
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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531
