ItB次元官网网址檚 a new year and the days are finally getting longer, allowing for the promise of a time when the commute between Greater Victoria and Sooke might be made in something other than Stygian darkness.

But those who are hoping for any significant improvement to what some have called one of the most dangerous arterial routes on the Island may have to wait a little bit longer.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still looking at a number of options for improving the reliability and safety of mobility on the 14 Corridor,B次元官网网址� said Janelle Staite, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Transportation.

B次元官网网址淲e have to look at what is the most viable from a cost/benefit perspective.B次元官网网址�

Staite stressed that significant improvements have already been made to the route in 2018, but acknowledged that much more needs to be done.

Last year began with the news of a fatal crash on the highway on Dec. 29 of 2017, prompting an outcry from Mayor Stew Young of Langford for immediate improvements to the stretch of road where serious accidents have become a regular occurrence.

In June, the Ministry hosted an open house in Sooke where they solicited input on what improvements were needed to the roadway.

B次元官网网址淲e know that more needs to be done, but weB次元官网网址檙e still finishing $10 million of work that was initiated last year.B次元官网网址�

Staite noted that $1 million went to creating three new bus pull-outs in areas that had been identified as having the largest ridership and that a new rest area had been constructed on the highway to allow vehicles to pull off and allow traffic to pass as well as provide a rest location for frazzled drivers.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e improved the Sooke River Road intersection and have made considerable improvements in the east side of the Sooke River Bridge,B次元官网网址� noted Staite.

B次元官网网址淎nd weB次元官网网址檝e added a slow vehicle pullout west of Sooke at Muir Creek and weB次元官网网址檝e made a big investment at Roche Cover on Gillespie Road.B次元官网网址�

In response to the criticism that the highwayB次元官网网址檚 lane markings tend to disappear in when it is dark and raining, Staite responded that it was a concern that the Ministry was aware of and had responded by having a complete refresh of the lane markings, making them wider and improving the glass bead markers in some areas to further delineate the lanes.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not feasible at this point to consider the creation of an alternate route into Sooke. What weB次元官网网址檙e doing is working through a series of incremental improvements to improve safety,B次元官网网址� said Staite.

B次元官网网址淎nd, of course, the best idea is always to drive at a safe speed that allows for the road conditions.B次元官网网址�

mailto:tim.collins@sookenewsmirror.com
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