Port Mann continues to lose money but officials say bridge still on track to pay for itself

The Port Mann Bridge continues to lose money faster than originally projected but the government insists the crossing isstill on target to pay for itself.

"What hasn't changed is our commitment to pay off this bridge by 2050," said Transportation Minster Todd Stone.

Financial projections released as part of the 2017 B.C. budget reveal thePort Mann will lose $88 million in2016-17, $90 million in 2017-18, and $86 million in each of the following two years.

The government initially promised the bridge would become profitable five years after it opened in other words sometime this year.

But the expected traffic never materialized. Drivers diverted to the Patulloand Alex Fraserbridges to avoid paying the Port Mann toll, causing revenue projections for the bridge to be sharply scaled back.

The Transportation Investment Corporation says the Port Mann is now expected to turn a profit 10 to 15 years from now.

"At first when we introduced tolls people tried out the alternate routes. This region is unique because there are a number of un-tolled alternate routes," said spokesperson Greg Johnson. "But we're seeing people come back now."

Total revenue from the Port Mann is forecast to reach $145 million this year, up from $136 million in 2015-16.

The span connects Coquitlam and Surrey and was built along with upgrades to Highway 1 at a cost of $3.3 billion.

The government and TI Corporationare about to build a $3.5 billiontoll bridge to replace the Massey Tunnel.Construction is expected to start this year and be completed by 2022.