ThereB次元官网网址檚 some interesting information coming out of Victoria that will invariably affect West Shore commuters heading to and from the capital.
Commuters traveling along Douglas Street will have to be patient over the next coming months, according to Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, as construction of phase two of the Douglas Street Priority Transit and Cycling Lanes has now commenced, which will see a northbound transit priority lane constructed along Douglas Street from Hillside Avenue to Tolmie Avenue.
The hope is to increase the reliability of transit during peak hours by giving buses their own lane during those times. Cyclists will also be permitted in the priority lane. The two vehicle lanes will remain, and drivers can also use the third lane outside of the posted peak hours.
B次元官网网址淚f you take transit, you want to know that itB次元官网网址檚 [going to] be on time and on schedule,B次元官网网址� said Meribeth Burton, BC Transit spokesperson. B次元官网网址淧eople who are stuck in their cars are going to see the bus pass them, and hopefully that will inspire more people to take transit.B次元官网网址�
Until then, vehicles and buses will have to drive through the construction to get to where they are going.
B次元官网网址淭here will be increased congestion during the construction, and thatB次元官网网址檚 part of change,B次元官网网址� said Helps. B次元官网网址淚 thank commuters for their patience and grace while we do this construction.B次元官网网址�
Helps said the main benefit will be the long-term effects on transit.
B次元官网网址淧eople donB次元官网网址檛 like construction, but once itB次元官网网址檚 done they love the results,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 think sometimes itB次元官网网址檚 worth a bit of short-term pain.B次元官网网址�
Tony Elson of Real Deal Bedrooms on the corner of Douglas and Summit Avenue, said he hopes the construction is completed by spring, as predicted by BC Transit.
B次元官网网址淚f [the construction] is a bit of a deterrent for people to get to us this time of year I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 worry so much as in the spring and summer,B次元官网网址� Elson said, because 50 per cent of their annual business comes from the summer months.
In order to add a third lane on Douglas going northbound, existing lanes are being realigned and reassigned, said Katie Hamilton, spokesperson for the City of Victoria.
There will also be a four-way traffic light put in beside Mayfair Shopping Centre.
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