A project started in summer 2023 could see action with regional trails upgrades as soon as summer 2025.

A draft summary of review of use of rigid bollards is among the expectations as part of the spring update on the Regional Trestles Renewal, Trails Widening and Lighting Project Update Project.

The Capital Regional District board approved its regional trails widening and lighting project in August 2023 looking at renewal for three trestles and six kilometres of separated-use paths.

Just over a year later, in response to concerns revived by a Saanich councillor in early 2024, the CRD tasked staff with adding a safety study. 

Citing cyclist safety, Saanich asked the CRD to look at removing bollards in conjunction with its $53 million regional trail widening and lighting project being approved. The letter asks the CRD to remove the rigid bollards on the regional trails and retrofit in accordance with B.C.B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Active Transportation Design Guide.

At the same time, View Royal mayor and council pleaded with the CRD to keep the rigid bollards, citing pedestrian safety.

From a CRD perspective, the rigid bollards have two functions, to prevent unauthorized and dangerous vehicle access and to provide a visual indication for trail users that they are approaching an active intersection, according to a staff report written in response to the letters.

The regional parks committee directed staff to engage a consultant to develop a study and provide recommendations to further enhance safety on the CRDB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s multi-use trails, in light of the evolving characteristics of trail users, including the increasing prevalence of motorized personal mobility devices, such as e-bikes.

CRD staff hired a consulting firm with active transportation expertise to complete the study, including data collection and interpretation as well as engagement planning to solicit qualitative input on trail user experience and comfort.

The broader project that kicked off in 2023 includes ongoing construction on Selkirk Trestle, with below-deck repairs underway as well as planning and procurement for detailed design, construction administration and the trail safety enhancement study, according to a staff report approved by the board as part of its consent agenda on Dec. 11.

Staff is working with municipal, provincial and First Nations partners to prepare for summer 2025 work, including detour planning for up to two sections of trail.

Several items, including options for the Swan Lake and Brett Avenue trestles, are also expected to come before the regional parks committee in spring.

The first section of trail to undergo construction will be a 300-metre section of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail between Gorge Road and Cecelia Road, starting in summer 2025 as a result of City of Victoria plans for a sewer replacement project. Staff are working with Victoria and Saanich municipal staff on a design for the AAA detour B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ anticipated to be needed for at least four months starting in late spring 2025.

Find the full report online at .