VICTORIA — The Government of British Columbia is looking to improve traffic flow on the southern portion of Vancouver Island through a new transportation strategy.
The strategy, launched by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, will examine current transportation demands from as far north as Duncan and to the west up to the Sooke area. It will focus on current and future multi-modal infrastructure projects, covering transit, cycling, pedestrian movement, rail, existing roads and marine and ferry travel.
The ministry is also looking at potential emergency detour routes should the Malahat highway be required to close. A report on a temporary emergency detour route is being prepared for release in spring 2019 and if a detour alignment is identified future engineering work could start in summer 2019.
“The board appreciates the efforts to address transportation needs and assist people getting around faster on the South Island. The CRD will want to ensure the protection of the integrity of the regional water supply lands, which provide drinking water for much of our region,” Capital Regional District (CRD) board chair Colin Plant said in a statement.
A request for qualifications has been posted on BC Bid to identify three qualified consultants to design multi-modal transportation for the region and the three shortlisted participants will be sent a request for proposals in February, with a successful proponent chosen by the end of March.
“We know that southern Vancouver Island is one of the fastest-growing regions in the province. For too long, the infrastructure needs of the communities there have been ignored. It is time we start investing in long-term, innovative, multi-modal solutions to address congestion, while respecting and honouring the wishes and rights of local First Nations,” added B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevena.
The ministry is also working through the process of awarding a contract for the design phase of the Malahat Goldstream Park median barrier project, which would add 1.5 kilometres of median barrier north of the West Shore Parkway to just north of Finlayson Arm Road.
In October 2018, the ministry finished the $34 million Malahat Village Safety Improvement project, which expanded five kilometres of the highway to four lanes and installed three kilometres of median barrier.
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