What began as a plan a dozen or so years ago took major strides toward completion last week with the announcement that the West Shore Parkway extension between the Trans-Canada Highway and Sooke Road is moving forward.
The project has been a part of LangfordB次元官网网址檚 master transportation plan, an Official Community Plan review and the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 regional transportation strategy through the process, said Michelle Mahovlich, the CityB次元官网网址檚 director of engineering.
It was also on the radar during the original rezoning for Westhills, she added.
B次元官网网址淲e are looking forward to making one of the last major connections through the city,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淥ur mayor, council and staff have worked very hard throughout this process. ItB次元官网网址檚 good news for traffic flow; it will create a lot of jobs in our community and weB次元官网网址檙e excited itB次元官网网址檚 moving ahead.B次元官网网址�
The $22.5-million project, a partnership between the federal and provincial governments and the City of Langford, involves connecting Highway 1 to Highway 14 with a 3.5-kilometre stretch of two lanes, with the integration of a middle turning lane where required. Other aspects of the roadway include bike lanes on both sides, sidewalks in residential areas, street lights, transit stops, boulevard medians and the installation of sewer and storm-water infrastructure.
Combined with the announcement of the construction of an interchange at the intersection of McKenzie Avenue and Admirals Road at the Trans Canada Highway, the two upgrades should go a long way toward addressing commuter concerns and improving the flow of traffic and safety between Victoria and Langford, one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, as well as up-Island.
The grant also includes a dual left-turn lane on the Trans Canada for northbound traffic turning left onto West Shore Parkway.
While no rail service is currently using the old E&N tracks in the area, which run next to Langford Lake and the Kettle Creek neighbourhood, a level crossing will be created for the new road, much like those already in place on Station Avenue, Peatt Road and VeteranB次元官网网址檚 Memorial Parkway in Langford.
The CityB次元官网网址檚 one-third share of the project costs, roughly $7.5 million, will be covered through its road cost development charge program. The municipality is managing all aspects of the project and will own the majority of roadways, with the Ministry of Transportation providing input to redevelop the intersections at both Sooke Road and the Trans Canada Highway.
B次元官网网址淲e will be tendering some design and the construction and some of the remaining detail design,B次元官网网址� Mahovlich noted.
The construction schedule, which was submitted with LangfordB次元官网网址檚 grant application, calls for the work to be completed by the end of 2017 or early 2018, she said. B次元官网网址淭he city plans on expediting that timeline as much as possible.B次元官网网址�
news@goldstreamgazette.com
