A new digital sign will provide drivers travelling west on Highway 14 with up-to-date information on road conditions, lane closures and commuting delays, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone announced today.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will also begin a study to identify future priorities for Highway 14 improvements.

“The Highway 14 corridor is a critical link on southern Vancouver Island that serves a wide variety of people including commuters, commercial drivers, tourists and cyclists,” said Stone. “In response to discussions with local community leaders, we will be looking at ways to improve this route and the new overhead sign is an important first step.”

The overhead changeable message sign will be located near Awsworth Road, approximately 500 metres west of the future connection to the new West Shore Parkway extension on Highway 14, and will face drivers heading westbound, toward Sooke.

Work will begin in late May 2016, and is expected to be finished during the summer. The sign will cost approximately $250,000, and will provide timely information regarding delays, road closures and current road conditions to the approximately 7,000 vehicles travelling from Langford to Sooke each day. Information will be provided from the DriveBC traveller information system, which is also available online at: www.DriveBC.ca

CHM2M Hill has been awarded the $130,000 contract to assess possible future improvements to Highway 14 between Langford and Sooke. This technical study will review the current condition and performance of the highway, examine potential upgrades for both the short and long term, and examine ways to promote greater transit use and encourage cycling.

The study will begin during the summer of 2016 and the final report is expected to be available in the spring of 2017.