One year after the Albion ferry last traversed the Fraser, traffic on the Golden Ears Bridge is slowly increasing.

In July, an average of 25,700 vehicles crossed the bridge daily, up from 19,600 in July 2009, according to new TransLink figures.

"We are really close to where we should be [in terms of traffic projections]," spokesman Ken Hardie said Wednesday. "Of course, more is always better, but the numbers are consistently heading up."

The lower-than-expected use of the tolled bridge means it will annually cost $4.8 million more to operate than originally estimated. But Hardie said the bridge traffic will likely continue to increase into the fall.

Business owners in Fort Langley aren't lamenting the ferry's end.

"The traffic is a lot slower now," said Fort Langley BIA executive director Shirley Stewart. "It hasn't changed business too much, except the customers are a little more diverse."