New Brunswick — The Government of New Brunswick announced today a plan to help reduce the provincial debt load: toll booths will be added to all major highways in an effort to bring the province out of the red. Construction of the booths will begin in the next weeks, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Roger Melanson said.
“We plan to have toll booths along all major highways throughout the province by the end of the spring, just in time for tourist season,” Melanson said. “If people are going to ‘drive through’ our province then we’re going to get what we can out of them as they do so.”
Out-of-province visitors will see the biggest fees at the tolls, Melanson explained. “If you have New Brunswick plates, you’ll only be charged $4 for your car, but if you’re from out of province, we’ll be charging double at $8 per vehicle.” The province doesn’t plan to completely punish out-of-towners, though. “If the tourists can provide a receipt or proof that they’re going to be staying in the province any length of time, they’ll be charged the regular rate. It’s only those who think they can pass right on through that are going to take a big hit.”
New Brunswickers can expect tolls erected in Welsford, Woodstock, Edmundston, Quispamsis, St. George, Sussex, Memramcook, Bathurst, Miramichi, Boiestown and Campbellton by the end of April.
“Since we’re not going to be fracking, we need to boost the economy in the province somehow,” Melanson elaborated. “Charging to drive on provincial highways will be just the kick in the arse this province needs. Look at Nova Scotia — they have a toll on their highway and they’re doing okay. We’re going to have 11 tolls and in the end we’re going to be 11 times better than those Bluenosers.”
When asked how adding so many tolls with affect New Brunswickers’ pockets, Melanson ducked the question, simply pointing back at the extra fees imposed on the “drive-through tourists.”
He also hinted at plans to add up to 9 more tolls on top of the original 11 in early 2016, bringing the total up to an even 20.
I feel it would be less painful if the government would put Tim Hortons drive through windows with their toll booths. No more stopping off the highway to get a double double. Why not make it a toll and double double for 5 bucks. I’m in!
So true Paul!
Why is this funny? It needs to be done! Edmunston, St. Stephan and Sackville to start, and maybe Moncton and Fredericton route 2 as well. Laughing at our provinces decline is getting old.
Uh how about nb creating jobs not more fees for the province. Yas gotta be fricken stupid to make tolls on the highways. There use to be one in Saint john n they took it out. Hmm, wonder why. Having over 5 tolls in one province is going to make the province have more homeless, cuz no body will be able to get to work if they can’t afford a four dollar toll everyday to get there. This has to be the dumbest shit I have ever heard of. Create jobs by bringing companies from any where else n get people jobs n a chance. All you guys are doing is making it harder for new brunswickers to get, let alone find work. Whoever made this idea should be slapped several times. Think about everyone in the province, not just your pocket there governement, but everyone’s you will be emptying by placing tolls on new Brunswick highways! You may have thought it was a good way to make money, but why don’t yas charge out of province 4 dollars n charge new brunswickers nothing, cuz they are from nb.
I think its a good idea, we need revenue, you don’t have to take the main highways, we need income to run our highways, user pay, I go to the rest of the Maritimes and I have to pay tolls, or ferries. I am tired of us being a drive through Province. I don’t think I am sold on a higher fee for out of Province, I think that could hurt more. The biggest mistake was when the toll was taken off of Moncton highway, that made no sense at all, cost us Millions and we are probably still paying for it.
New Brunswickers don’t want tolls – Period.
Anyone who finished second grade can see the stupidity in tolls. Let me explain it for Roger Melanson: Ready Roger? Ok, assuming the province needs an extra $100 Million (meaning that you failed at cutting costs), then the NB population will have to pay $100 Million.
Here’s the important part Roger: *** If you build a toll to collect this money, and the toll will cost $10 Million dollars plus $4 Million per year, then the NB population will have to pay $150 Million dollars over the next 10 years. And government being what they are, I’m convinced that the tolls will cost double what you’re estimating them to be, so really the NB population will have to pay $200 Million – which is $100 Million for absolutely nothing.
Set the GPS to non toll roads. Game over.
i think its crap!!!!! big idea will end up the money will not go to the debt!! at maybe! end result same poor roads and money will end up on the peoples pay checks that work there and rest will be lost !and we will still be in debt!!!!!
Another smart idea…seems to me we already paid the stupid government to install, then tear down one toll between Moncton and Sussex. Might as well have them build another. I wonder how that will work for people that work travelling like myself…pay at Memramcook then, as I pass through Moncton and maybe again at Sussex and return stops? time to consider retirement.
If the government wants to get out of debt they should look at cutting things like bilingualism high wages payer to the top brass in government and crown corps. wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out . sometimes I wonder if their is anyone in government that has an IQ higher than a turnip. But what do I know other than something needs to be done to fix this Provence ,so us with nothing no even a job can find work and start living again .but there again no one in government gives a shit as long as their check keeps coming in . that s the sad truth :'( :'( :'(
Why is the cost of setting up, manning, and maintaining, tool booths not mentioned. I can’t imagine that is going to be cheap, how many tolls will have to be collected to cover that, what will the net gain be for the province to discourage so many of the people that depend on highways to get to work
I’m not sure I see the satire here? This has actually been suggested as an option to raise revenue in NB. This is just possible news that hasn’t been decided on yet.
I understand the need to create revenue to pay for various programs/provincial debt through these tolls. But, as a student going to UNB and who lives on the Gaspe Coast in Quebec, this will be a big financial setback for me. I struggle enough paying for tuition, rent, and food. By travelling my normal route (Route 8 and then 11) to visit family along the way, I will pay $32 in toll due to the Boiestown, Miramichi, Bathurst, and Campbellton toll booths.
This is outrageous. I believe the NB government has the capacity and responsibility to the students of New Brunswick. Therefore, either a fee exempt or reduction should be offered to students currently enrolled throughout the Maritimes.
hahaha, I just realized this was satiric. Yoy guys had me on my toes.
Frankly, I wish this were the case. I’d rather tolls and a one or two percent increase in the GST instead of emptying out seniors bank accounts and eliminating teaching positions . And I am not a senior or a teacher.
This is not the answer to our problems…. cannot get NB out of debt on the backs of NBers. You are just going to force more people to leave with these stupid actions. Find ways to generate revenue for NB that doesn’t come out of the pocket of NB residents.