Safety improvements may be coming to South Shawnigan Lake Road-Highway 1 intersection
The B.C. government is in the early planning phase of a project that would bring safety improvements to a notorious section of the Trans-Canada Highway at South Shawnigan Lake Road.
The province has put out a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a consultant to work on the project, which would see the elimination of the existing left-hand turn from South Shawnigan Lake Road onto the northbound lanes of Malahat Drive. The project would provide an interchange at the intersection and allow better access for traffic on both sides of the highway.
The chief of the Malahat Fire Department says the intersection has been the scene of a number of serious crashes and the need for safety improvements has been known for a long time.
“This intersection is very scary,” said Chief Tania Patterson. “I’m amazed we haven’t had more accidents than what we’ve had, (but) it's just a matter of time before something’s going to happen (that is) major.”
She says the high rate of speed at which vehicles travel past the intersection contributes to the number of crashes.
“It's supposed to be 80 (kilometres per hour), but I would say on average its probably 100 to 120 because people are always in a hurry,” said Patterson. “When you’ve got the dump trucks, for them to get going from a dead stop and you have people coming down at 100, it's scary.”
Patterson says plans to improve the safety of the intersection have been in the discussion stage for the last 10 to 20 years.
“Fingers crossed that it’s actually going to happen,” said Patterson. “It's something that has been needed for a long time because we want to get rid of all of the left-hand turns.”
“Even for the fire department to get out of Whittaker Road is difficult with lights and sirens,” she added.
The province’s RFQ for the project includes other safety upgrades, such as a pedestrian bridge over Highway 1 at Whittaker Road and a mobility hub to support transit services on the corridor.
“This is really important. It's for the commuters' safety and everybody’s safety, not just the people driving,” said Patterson.
In an emailed statement to CTV News, the Minstry of Transportation and Infrastructure says “this initial phase of work will support planning and decision-making for future projects.” The RFQ is open until Oct. 27.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion, 1 person seriously injured: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.