I don't think it will be long before we're paying for the privilege to drive on pretty much every major thoroughfare in the Lower Mainland.
As politicians at all levels try to devise a plan to fund billions of dollars of needed transportation improvements, the term "road pricing" continues to gain traction in those discussions.
It's another, perhaps more palatable, way of saying tolls, but in this case, they would likely be applied all over, not just on shiny new crossings.
As politicians look to extract more money from our pockets, I guess there's some comfort in the fact they're trying to do so in the fairest way possible. That's been a big bone of contention in recent years as mayors throughout the region haven't been keen on the way in which revenue has been raised, to say nothing of their inability to direct where that money is spent.
Mayors have been reluctant to increase property taxes because that's done on bills they send out each spring, but it's also unfair to tax a homeowner that may or may not put a strain on the region's road network. That's where road pricing comes in: The more you use the roads, the more you'll pay.
For it to be effective, however, both the costs and benefits have to be far-reaching and they must pass the fairness test.
There are still many decisions to be made, but I suspect in order for all mayors, and by extension their constituents, to buy in it will require everyone who drives a certain distance, not just those using a crossing, to buck up.
Consequently, all areas of the Lower Mainland will also expect to share in the transit improvements these tolls finance.
The idea of south of Fraser commuters paying a toll to fund a subway to UBC isn't going to fly for obvious reasons, so those devising the road pricing structure must be cognizant of such or the initiative won't get off the ground.
There are always going to be turf wars among politicians, who will work to ensure their constituents aren't overtaxed or underserved, but as long as fairness remains a guiding principle, I suspect they'll eventually reach a consensus.
Victoria hasn't been supportive of tolling existing infrastructure, but if mayors provide a comprehensive plan that finally offers a logical way forward on transit improvements, provincial politicians will be quick to jump on board.
It's by no means a done deal, but all signs point to the concept of road pricing getting a long look from legislators in the months ahead.
