The Golden Ears Bridge will open two weeks ahead of schedule, Translink officials announced Monday.
Translink CEO Tom Predergast told reporters the bridge, which is expected to save commuters up to 20 minutes in travel time, would be completed half-way through June.
"The bridge will open on June 16, and I think it's going to be a tremendous asset to the region at large," Predergast said.
Construction on the six-lane bridge began in June, 2006, and was slated for a July 1, 2009 completion.
Use of the bridge will be free for 30 days, and then a toll will be imposed ranging from $2.50 for an unregistered motorcycle to $9.40 for an unregistered truck. Unregistered cars will be charged $3.90.
Related: Golden Ears Bridge tolls and fees
Pedestrians and cyclists won't have to pay the toll, and will have a lane on each end reserved. Public buses won't pay either.
Frequent users will be able to lease a transponder called a "Quick Pass," which will scan as vehicles cross through toll booths. Forty mounted cameras will watch all other motorists pass through, and they will be sent a bill in the mail.
Translink is confident drivers won't be able to cheat the system.
"People want to try to do it, let 'em try," Predergast said. "But I think we'll catch up to them."
With a report from CTV British Columbia's St John Alexander
