Work has begun to upgrade the intersection at Highway 19 and Lantzville Road with a project that includes a new traffic signal, a northbound acceleration lane onto the highway and overhead street lighting, as well as pedestrian crosswalks, curbs and islands.

“Upgrading this intersection will improve access to the Snaw Naw As community, as well as safety for drivers wanting to make left turns on and off the highway and for pedestrians,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “At the same time, we are building positive working relationships with the Snaw Naw As that support their economic development plans.”

The total estimated project cost is $2 million, and an agreement is in place with the Snaw Naw As to provide $120,000 toward the signalization of the intersection. A traffic signal is warranted to improve safety and operations at this intersection as a result of increased developments using Lantzville Road. The signal is anticipated to go live later in 2017 when the adjacent development work nears completion.

“This safety improvement is a great opportunity to partner with the local First Nation on a project that supports economic development and will help ensure safe access to and from the provincial highway,” said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell.  

IWC Excavation Ltd. of Nanaimo began construction in mid-February and is expected to finish by the end of June. Every effort is being made to ensure traffic delays related to construction are kept minimal, particularly during peak periods. For information on lane closures and other travel updates, travellers are encouraged to check DriveBC: www.DriveBC.ca

“The signalization of this intersection has been a long time coming,” said Snaw Naw As Chief Brent Edwards. “Many leaders past and present from Snaw-Naw-As have worked very hard over many years to address the safety improvements and socio-economic benefit the signalization of this intersection will bring to our community. We anticipate being able to make this a four-legged intersection in the near future and look forward to the work in front of us.”

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Follow the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online: http://www.tranbc.ca