The city of Victoria has unveiled concept art for public spaces that could be created around the new Johnson Street Bridge, including a waterfront ramp, urban terrace and even a beach.
On its website, the city says the replacement of the bridge presents an opportunity to “revitalize and create new public space on both sides of the new bridge.” These public spaces are aimed at improving connectivity for people who walk and cycle through the area.
Public consultation for the sites began last year. The city hosted an open house last week to show off the ideas.
The concepts put forward include: urban terraces, waterfront ramps and a public beach or possible concert venue on the west side of the bridge.
The concepts are now up for public feedback. You can fill the survey out here.
Results of recent community gatherings suggested people are interested in seeing arts and culture performance opportunities, public washrooms and public art.
Moving forward city staff will work on taking the feedback from the open house and will create a design so city workers can assess the price tag and timeline for the overall project. All of that information will then be brought to council within the next several months.
The Johnson Street Bridge is scheduled to be open to drivers by the end of 2017. The entire project is expected to be completed by March 31, 2018.
The total cost of the bridge is slated at $105 million, which could see a drastic jump once the cost of the new public spaces is added.
