I just turned on the radio to hear that Premier Gordon Campbell has permanently lifted the toll on the Coq. For those of you who don't know this road, it's the main highway from the BC coast to the interior and is pronounced "Coke-i-halla" or "the Coke" for short.
For as long as I can remember my family has paid this silly little toll, driving back and forth. The drive is scenic though somewhat terrifying in winter if you're passing from the interior to the coast. After the tollbooth you descend down the other side of the mountains and this can be somewhat nerve wracking if you're sharing the road with large semis in the middle of a snowstorm. In the height of summer though, it's a gorgeous drive and there's lots of opportunities to see wildlife and gain an understanding of BC's landscape.
The most frustrating thing about this toll is that it was built in 1986 and the toll was to help pay for it. From what I understand, the highway was apparently paid for 11 years ago and to date about $845 million has been collected since its opening. The toll should have been lifted a long time ago and I do see it as early vote buying considering our provincial election is next year but I'm just happy it's gone.
1 comment:
Good to know. I have friends who commute regularly between Van and Kamloops and they'll be thrilled. I guess they can get rid of those toll booths (and the employees, too) now as well.
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