The City of Victoria has updated its lineup for SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 community celebration, B次元官网网址淗ello New, Goodbye Blue,B次元官网网址� to usher in the new era of the Johnson Street Bridge.
From noon until 5 p.m. March 31, both bridges will be closed to vehicle traffic for two community picnics B次元官网网址� one on each bridge B次元官网网址� to say farewell to the old, and whatB次元官网网址檚 up to the new. The street party promises live music and entertainment, food trucks, vintage cars, craft and activity stations for children and a host of elected officials to help cut the ribbon.
The community, on foot or bicycle, will get the first opportunity to cross the new bridge before it opens to vehicle traffic.
Bill Eisenhauer, head of engagement with the City of Victoria, says both bridges will actually close to vehicle traffic starting this Friday at 7 a.m. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檒l still be able to come across as a pedestrian or cyclist on the old bridge,B次元官网网址� he explains. Wharf and Store streets will remain open, but transit will be rerouted and drivers are encouraged to use the Bay Street Bridge.
Following the festivities, the new bridge will open to traffic, at which time it will be lights out for Old Blue. B次元官网网址淥n Saturday, at about 9 p.m. vehicles will start flowing on the new bridge,B次元官网网址� Eisenhauer says.
WeB次元官网网址檙e definitely excited to open the new bridge to the public next week, but weB次元官网网址檙e also going to miss the existing bridge. Do you have a good memory to share about the Blue Bridge ? Be sure to come say goodbye March 31 from noon-5pm!
B次元官网网址� City of Victoria (@CityOfVictoria)
Work will shift immediately to dismantling the old span and constructing the public spaces planned for the east and west approaches to the bridge, as well as public plazas and the new waterfront park in Vic West.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important to remember that workB次元官网网址檚 not yet completed,B次元官网网址� Eisenhauer says. B次元官网网址淭here will be some ongoing work, painting, and removal of the old bridge, so there will be some periodic lane closures going [forward].B次元官网网址�
Closures will be expected when the Dynamic Beast B次元官网网址� the crane barge famously used during the project B次元官网网址� returns later this spring.
The pedestrian/cycling bridge that will connect the Galloping Goose and E&N trails will also open to the public, but the walkway on the south side of the new bridge will remain closed until the dismantling of the old bridge is complete.
For up to date information on the project, visit and view the live webcam. Or, check out our series, .
