Construction relief: First phase of Saanich's Shelbourne Street construction now complete
The District of Saanich says the first phase of its "Shelbourne Street Improvements Project" is complete, meaning construction will move further up the roadway beginning later this month.
Phase 1 of the three-phase project saw road improvements and underground infrastructure improvements come to Shelbourne Street between Torquay Drive and Garnet Road.
The upgrades included north and southbound bike lanes from McKenzie Avenue to Torquay Drive, and sidewalk upgrades and repairs.
New traffic signals were also installed at two intersections, along with new reflective road markings, bus stops, bike-locking posts, garbage cans and benches.
The new bike lanes will be fully protected by concrete barriers later this year, with installed slated for the fall or winter, according to Saanich.
Underneath the road, the district says it upgraded or replaced more than 2 kilometres of watermain, and 850 metres of sewermain.
The first phase of the Shelbourne Street Improvements Project wrapped up in early July 2022. (District of Saanich)
NEXT PHASE
Phase 2 of the Shelbourne Street Improvements Project is expected to begin later this month and wrap up in 2024.
The second phase will cover Shelbourne Street between North Dairy Road and Pear Street, and will add protected bike lanes to the University of Victoria.
The final phase of the project is expected to begin in 2024 and take up to two years to complete.
The first phase of the project cost about $12 million, with the federal government contributing $4.8 million, the B.C. government providing $1 million, and the municipality covering the rest.
"I’m delighted the first phase of this multi-year project is complete," said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes in a statement Tuesday.
"Thank you to our residents for your patience as we work to improve our active transportation network, critical infrastructure and the livability of this amazing corridor," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.