VANCOUVER, B.C. — TransLink says a miscalculation of where people in the Lower Mainland would find work is partly responsible for the congestion crisis there.

The regional transit body is working on a new long-term regional transportation plan that will focus on improving the movement of goods and people through the region. An open house was recently held in Vancouver and three others are slated for the region in the coming months.

"We’ve had long-range transportation plans for the region before, but they lacked either the strategy or the funding to actually make things happen," says TransLink chairman, Doug McCallum. "This time, we intend to have all the pieces in place. That’s our only hope if we’re going to keep ahead of traffic congestion and all of the difficulties it causes for people, the environment and the economy."

Currently, the region is $1 billion behind in road investments, and TransLink is gauging public opinion about the implementation of tolls or additional fuel and property taxes. The region must also lower its greenhouse gas emissions by 2010 thanks to the Kyoto Accord.