People who live on and visit Salt Spring Island can expect smoother, safer travel as significant improvements are coming to a major segment of the island’s highway system.

Improvements to Fulford-Ganges Road starting this summer will improve sight lines and access for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. New paving infrastructure will extend the life of the roadway, while new markings, crosswalks, speed-reader boards and refuge areas will enhance safety.

The work includes pulverizing and rebuilding the road base entirely, resurfacing and grading to introduce new, paved shoulders on both sides of Fulford-Ganges Road, and adding additional enhancements for safety and active transportation, such as signage, paint markings, crosswalks and refuge areas for cyclists.

The project will also include a new underground storm-sewer drainage system for the length of the project to support long-term environmental viability, as well as a staging area to install a large culvert at Cranberry Road to reduce the risk of flood and road damage.

The $22.9-million project is being funded through the Province’s Climate Adaptation and Preservation program and has been awarded to Victoria-based Northridge Excavating Ltd. Construction is anticipated to start after the Labour Day weekend in September 2024 and complete in summer 2025.

The ministry worked with stakeholders, including the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee, on project planning and environmental considerations.

During construction, single-lane-alternating traffic will be in effect while the contractor is working. People travelling along the Fulford-Ganges Road should anticipate delays up to 20 minutes through the project site and are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid peak travel times to minimize delays. The posted speed will be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h throughout the construction period.

Any necessary road closures will include temporary detours and no road closures will take place within 20 minutes of a ferry arrival at Fulford Harbour. Transport trucks and wide loads will be required to stay on route. The ministry’s contractor will avoid work during peak travel times to minimize traffic disruption where possible.

Drivers are always encouraged to check DriveBC for the latest up-to-date traffic information at: https://www.drivebc.ca/

Learn More:

To learn more about the project, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/fulfordganges