Transportation and Infrastructure
The start of construction on the much-anticipated Highway 1 Admirals Road/ McKenzie interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Victoria has begun, said B.C. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. This, just over a year after it was first announced.
"The Government of Canada is working in close partnership with British Columbia to ensure we make smart infrastructure investments that make our roads – like Highway 1 in B.C. – safer and more efficient,” said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “This project represents an important improvement to a key Capital Regional District transportation link, whether you walk, bike, drive or take public transit.”
The new interchange will be located on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Victoria and, once completed, will include improved access for cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit users. The final design announced in spring of this year reflects input from stakeholders, including the District of Saanich and other local governments, community associations, cycling groups, First Nations, emergency service providers, park stewards, nearby schools and BC Transit.
“When the project was announced last year, we said shovels would be in the ground in fall 2016, and today we are delivering on that commitment, as promised,” said B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “This is a key project in our B.C. on the Move plan because it improves the transportation network for everyone who uses the corridor, including drivers, transit users, cyclists and pedestrians.”
Jacob Bros. Construction Inc. of Surrey has been awarded a $16.7-million contract to realign and widen the Galloping Goose Trail with a new bridge crossing over McKenzie Avenue. Work will also involve placing preload materials to compress soft soils, installing a temporary pedestrian overpass over the Trans-Canada Highway and removing the old one, and relocating a main waterline. In 2017, a second construction tender package will be issued to build the interchange and the new pedestrians and cyclists overpass over the Trans-Canada. Construction of the interchange is expected to be finished in late 2018.
"Saanich is a unique community with a variety of transportation needs. From cyclists to pedestrians to commuters, there are many stakeholders who will be positively impacted by these transportation upgrades," said Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell. "Saanich looks forward to working with our partners to enhance transportation in the region, while doing everything we can to mitigate impacts to the environment and surrounding park land."
Crews will be working mainly outside of peak periods and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure staff will be monitoring traffic 24/7 to ensure delays are kept minimal. As well, pedestrians and cyclists will be protected with a well-marked, fenced-off safe route through the construction zone. Regular updates and advance notification will be provided as needed through DriveBC, social media, traffic advisories, changeable message signs, and on the project website at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/mckenzieinterchange/.
Quick Fact:
- The total estimated cost of the Highway 1 Admirals Road/McKenzie interchange is $85 million, with the Government of Canada contributing up to $32,647,500 under the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component-National and Regional Projects and the Government of British Columbia funding the remaining $52,352,500.
Learn More:
Investing in Canada, the Government of Canada’s new $120-billion infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html
Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – national and regional projects (PTIC-NRP): http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/bc-eng.html
Visit the Highway 1 Admirals Road/McKenzie Interchange project website at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/mckenzieinterchange/
For the most up-to-date travel information and traffic advisories, please check: http://www.drivebc.ca/
