Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has announced a drop in the toll price on the new Go-Between Bridge.

The bridge which links Milton and South-Brisbane is now set to open in July the early completion saving the council $42-million.

Letisha Willocks reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

Motorists are set to benefit from the early completion of the bridge with a cut of almost 12 per cent in the tolls from the original $2.70 announced.

Campbell Newman, Brisbane Lord Mayor: “Today I’m formally announcing that the base toll or max if you like for general sedan vehicles using the Go-Between Bridge will be $2.35 in 2010 dollars.”

They’ll also benefit from an introductory discount of $1.50 for the first six months, rising to $2 in 2011.

By mid 2011 the toll will be revised with the consumer price index factored in.

The bridge which was initially estimated to cost $240-million blew out to $370-million in 2008.

The final cost though, $338-million.

Even with $42-million wiped off the cost, it’s still a blow out of $100-million, something the councils Labor leader says is nothing to crow about.

Shayne Sutton, BCC Opposition Leader: “The Lord Mayors argument that he’s saved money on this project is political spin at its worst.”

She says the reduction in tolls just proves it’s going to be another white elephant, just like the Clem 7.

Shayne Sutton, BCC Opposition Leader: “People just wont use a piece of infrastructure that they think is overly expensive, the Lord Mayors decision to drop the tolls today is his acknowledgment that this bridge will not be successful.”

Letisha Willocks, QUT News.