View Royal, Saanich consider final design
The new look for Craigflower bridge is being considered by View Royal and Saanich councils this week.
The final proposed design is a combination of two bridge styles presented at an open house in View Royal last month. It incorporates the arched steel base and aligns the roadways at a slight curve to allow wider bike lanes and more amenity space on the downriver side of the bridge surface.
B次元官网网址淭he level of feedback we received has been excellent,B次元官网网址� said Saanich transportation manager Jim Hemstock, noting that 300 people attended the open last month and many more have emailed their thoughts on the design.
B次元官网网址淭his is a highly visible bridge in a predominant location. People want it to look good.B次元官网网址�
If both councils approve the design, the busy bridge will carry three lanes of traffic, estimated at about 18,000 vehicles per day. Concrete barriers will separate two-metre wide cycling lanes and concrete sidewalks on each side of the street.
The bridge will have an additional platform at the centre of the downstream side, which could be used for herring fishing or as a viewing platform with seating.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 like to see someone selling hot dogs there,B次元官网网址� Hemstock remarked.
Lampposts will run along the bridge to illuminate the vehicle lanes, and bike lanes will be brightened by lights embedded in the concrete barrier.
The design doesnB次元官网网址檛 incorporate wood from the current bridge, which had been suggested for use on the sidewalk.
Hemstock said the public wasnB次元官网网址檛 big on the idea because a wood surface would be bumpy for people in wheelchairs or pushing strollers. ItB次元官网网址檚 also more expensive to maintain.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still going to keep the beams (from the current bridge) to incorporate into something B次元官网网址� maybe a bench or the railing,B次元官网网址� he said.
A second public open house will be scheduled next month to work out those finer design details and to brainstorm ways to reduce the impact of construction.
Hemstock said nearly everyone heB次元官网网址檚 spoken to agrees the bridge should be shut down completely for six months during construction, rather than spending about $2 million to keep a single lane open and causing the project to last 18 months.
The bridge could be open in as little as three months if construction crews work around the clock.
While the bridge is closed, traffic will have to detour to Tillicum or Helmcken roads to cross the Gorge Waterway. For pedestrians, and school children in particular, thereB次元官网网址檚 talk of providing a water taxi during construction.
The design concept and construction schedule was considered by View Royal council yesterday (Jan. 17, after this paper went to press) and will go to Saanich council Jan. 23. Work is expected to commence in June.
Replacing the nearly 80-year-old Craigflower bridge with the proposed span is estimated to cost $10.8 million, of which $10 million will be paid through gas tax funds allocated by the Capital Regional District. Sannich will cover 60 per cent of the remaining bill and View Royal, because itB次元官网网址檚 smaller, will contribute the remaining 40 per cent.
Updates on the project are available at www.saanich.ca/services/roads/craigflower.html. Feedback on the designs can be emailed to admiralsroad@saanich.ca.
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