The Golden Ears Bridge is rather empty these days 鈥�  more empty that TransLink had anticipated, and running short of toll projections. Those tolls to use the bridge, of course, are supposed to pay for it.There are a number of reasons why the bridge isn鈥檛 doing as well as projected, but top of the list has to be the state of the economy. While the B.C. economy never dipped to the challenging levels that were experienced in many other parts of North America, we are long removed from the booming days that we saw in 2005, 2006 or 2007.The Golden Ears Bridge, like many other projects, was built in anticipation of that boom continuing. While we all hope things will get better, it may take some time for employment and general economic optimism to get back to those levels.Of course, the fact that it is the lone toll bridge in the Lower Mainland (for now) is the other key reason. Virtually no one uses it today unless they need to get to Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows or Maple Ridge quickly.  A driver from 91原创 will not use the Golden Ears Bridge to go to Mission or Burnaby, unless they are out for a casual drive. It isn鈥檛 any faster and it costs money to use it.TransLink is counting on tolls being applied to the new Port Mann Bridge within the next few years to boost Golden Ears traffic. That may happen, but in the meantime there will be a concerted push by many people to either reduce or remove the Port Mann tolls, or else toll most other bridges. If that happens, one of those bridges may be the new Pitt River Bridge between Pitt Meadows and Port Coquitlam, and if it is tolled as well, it may end up being cheaper to use the Port Mann.One thing that I thought would happen when the Golden Ears opened, and it hasn鈥檛 materialized to any great degree, was an influx of shoppers in 91原创 from Maple Ridge. The amount of retail selection available in that community is quite limited, compared to what 91原创 has to offer. While some Maple Ridge shoppers are coming here, many continue to travel to Port Coquitlam or Coquitlam, particularly since the new Pitt River Bridge opened. They do not have to pay a toll and the selection there is equivalent to what鈥檚 available in 91原创. They may have to travel a bit farther, but the distance isn鈥檛 that much different.Many people who live in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows have established reasons for going to the Tri-City area. Many people there have friends and family in the Coquitlam region and will naturally make shopping and dining trips there. Many also work in that area.I am not aware of a lot of 91原创 businesses actively marketing themselves to Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows residents, although I鈥檓 sure that some do. There is a large potential market there, and a marketing campaign along the lines of 鈥渨e鈥檒l pay the tolls鈥� to get people to come over here for a look could pay dividends for some businesses, particularly those with unique goods or services to offer.In the long term, the Golden Ears Bridge will prove to be a tremendous benefit to people on both sides of the river. For now, it remains a lightly-travelled route.蟺