Transportation Master Plan: Implementation

The District is taking the next step in responding to traffic management with the invitation of two tenders on both the Charters Road Streetscape and Church Road-Throup Road Roundabout Projects.

The invitation will close on June 30, 2023 with a staff report on a recommendation for Council's consideration proceeding to a July meeting.

Boring in advance of the construction of the Church Road Roundabout is scheduled for June 6, 7, and 8th, 2023. Intermittent traffic delays can be expected from 7am to 5 pm for approximately 5 minutes at a time throughout the day while the work is completed on Church Road from Waddams Way to Throup.

Please allow additional time for your travels.

As indicated in the District’s 2023 Budget, work is set to begin on long-awaited repairs and reconstruction of the Charters Road Corridor.

This work will occur in multiple phases. The ultimate road build-out will include significant restructuring and the addition of sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the road.

Upcoming Milestones

Two key milestones are approaching as this work begins.

Phase 1a: Preparatory Site Works

Tree removal is required to facilitate the construction of this active transportation corridor. In maintaining our municipal tree canopy, the District will be increasing tree planting in other areas of the community including planting at least forty trees in Ravens Ridge Park later this year.

For the safety of those travelling in the area, Charters Road will be closed between 9am and 2pm during the week of May 8^th. Tree falling will begin once bird surveying is complete and may commence as early as mid-day on Monday, May 8^th. It is anticipated that this phase of preparatory site works will conclude by 2pm on Thursday, May 11^th.

Local area residents will be permitted access in and out of their properties.

The closure times have been scheduled to minimize the impact on those travelling to/from school. Those travelling in the area are asked to plan ahead and allow extra time while this work is completed.

Phase 1b: Project Tender

The District will issue a project tender in the coming weeks. Applicants will have several weeks to apply.

Throughout the project, best efforts will be made to minimize disruption to the public; however, delays are expected while this important work is completed. Once the tenders are reviewed and the tender is awarded, a preliminary project schedule will be made available. At this time, additional information on project timelines is not known.

Background - After significant rainfall and related damage, Charters Road was limited to single-lane alternating travel with the Northbound lane being closed on November 26, 2021. The District was unsuccessful in securing financial support through two provincial funding streams to assist with repairs, leading to construction delays. Identified as a priority in the 2023 Budget, it is anticipated that the Charters Active Transportation Corridor project will be complete in 2024.

At the March 21, 2023, Special Council Budget meeting Council received a report on proposed 2023 Capital projects. Since that meeting, new information has been provided by the Provincial Government to staff on the Growing Communities Fund which is requiring revisions to the proposed projects.

Additionally, the District has received confirmation that Sooke was unsuccessful in the Charters Active Transportation Corridor Grant. Due to the significant impact this grant notification has on the available funding for capital projects, staff have reviewed and revised the 2023 and 2024 Capital Plan for the roads and parks projects and they will present a proposed solution to Council at the March 27, 2023 Regular Council meeting.

In short, the proposed changes suggest funding the Charters Road Project as follows:

• $3,579,041 from Growing Communities Fund
• $2,220,000 from Road Development Cost Charges
• $111,711 from the Communities Building Fund
• $1,039,247 from additional grants/funds

The March 27, 2023 Regular Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Sooke Municipal Hall, in Council Chambers. The meeting will also be live-streamed on the District’s YouTube Channel with a recording available after the meeting for those wishing to watch/listen to it at their convenience.

Learn more:

• March 27, 2023 Related Staff Report: 2023-2024 Operations/Parks Capital Projects
• Budget Information Page: letstalk.sooke.ca/budget

Work has begun on a new transit shelter at Grant Road West and French Road South.

Construction schedule

Preparation for the pad is underway. Concrete work is currently scheduled for the week of November 21^st with project completion by year-end.

Minimal impact is expected during construction; however, minor traffic delays may occur as the concrete is poured.

Enhancing bus stops provides several benefits

• Amenities such as shelters and benches improve the comfort of customers waiting for buses.
• Clear, level surfaces with sufficient space make a stop accessible which removes barriers to transit use.
• Transit shelters improve the visibility of the transit system, increasing the ease of use.

“Each step we take, no matter how small or grand to enhance the usability of transit is a milestone for us to celebrate,” said Mayor Maja Tait.

Improving bus shelters is an overlapping deliverable in the Official Community Plan (2010), the Sooke Local Area Transit Plan (2020), the Transportation Master Plan and the Sooke 2030 Climate Action Plan.

At the June 27, 2022 Regular Council meeting, Council supported the Charters Road Corridor Active Transportation Project in alignment with the District's Transportation Master Plan at a total project cost of $6,942,797.00.

The application covers all the work on the corridor between Charters and Throup Road south to the intersection of Church Road and Highway 14. Project costs are based on the latest available engineering estimates. The District is responsible for funding the remarkable costs including any project overruns. The current projections have the District funding $1,024,248, which has been accounted for through successful negations for cash in lieu contributions from major developments on this corridor.

Funding Stream
The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) opened up a third intake of the Canada Community-Building - Strategic Priorities Fund, Capital Infrastructure Stream which will provide an opportunity to apply for 100% funding up to a maximum of $6,000,000. At this time, it is not known when the grant announcement will be made.

Construction Timelines

Should the District be successful with its grant application, it is currently anticipated construction will take approximately 10 months with the intent of substantial competition before the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) begins work on Highway 14 in 2024-2025.

Project Scope including Environmental Enhancements

In alignment with the District's Transportation Master Plan Urban / Suburban cross-section Standards, the project scope includes:

• 800 metres of North Bound and South Bound Vehicle Travel lanes (road base reconstruction/pavement and road line markings);
• 800 metres of sidewalk;
• 800 metres of bike lanes;
• 400 metres of street LED lighting incorporating dark sky principles (both sides of the corridor);
• Major geotechnical wall structures (both sides) to support Throup Stream Culvert crossing and road grade improvements to meet current design standards;
• Opening of approximately 245 metres of inaccessible fish habitat as a part of culvert installation;
• safety handrails where applicable in wall locations;
• Boulevard enhancements with trees and grass facilitating separation of sidewalk from the travel lanes where applicable;
• 400 metres of storm main lines to facilitate road corridor catch basins; and
• Activated LED flashing pedestrian crosswalks.

The Transportation Master Plan identifies the need to create connected street networks and recognizes the intent to take several approaches to improve neighbourhood connectivity.

One of these approaches includes opening up temporary street closures wherever possible. There are locations in Sooke, such as Brailsford Place, where temporary street closures were installed either during construction or because there were no lands beyond to connect to at the time of construction.

The Brailsford Connector project is now complete:

The Transportation Master Plan identifies the need to create connected street networks and recognizes the intent to take several approaches to improve neighbourhood connectivity. One of these approaches includes opening up temporary street closures wherever possible. There are locations in Sooke, such as Brailsford Place, where temporary street closures were installed either during construction or because there were no lands beyond to connect to at the time of construction.

The Brailsford Connector project is reaching the final stages with signage being installed later this week and the opening of the connector anticipated next week.

The Transporation Master Plan identifies improvements for Otter Point Road. Thanks to $1.8 Million in funding from the Federal and Provincial governments, the District is moving ahead to build an active transportation corridor, including sidewalks and bike lanes, from Highway 14 to Wadams Way on Otter Point Road much sooner than originally anticipated. Construction will begin the week of September 6, 2021 with anticipated completion in late October/early November 2021.

Notice from Hazelwood Construction Services:

As the contractor for the District of Sooke will be upgrading utility services on Otter Point Road from Highway 14 to Wadams Way, from early September 2021 to the end of November 2021. The work will enhance public safety by providing sidewalks and bike lanes along the critical transportation corridor.

During the construction period, traffic disruptions can be expected and detours may be in effect. Every effort will be made to keep local disruptions to a minimum. If night work is required, additional notice will be provided.

Construction signs will be posted and flagpersons will be on duty to assist with the traffic flow. Please exercise caution, obey all signage placed for your safety and follow the directions of the flagpersons on duty. If you have young children, please advise them of the dangers and limited visibility of heavy equipment and trucks.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding during construction.

If you have any questions or require further information regarding this project please contact:

• Hazelwood Construction Services (Sue Bassett, Project Manager) (250) 716-1940

The Transporation Master Plan identifies improvements for Church Road. Work that will ultimately provide lane reconfiguration, utility work and resurfacing from Highway 14 to Wadams Way begins the week of September 6, 2021 with an anticipated competition date around mid-November.

Notice from Hazelwood Construction Services:

As the contractor for the District of Sooke will be upgrading utility services and resurfacing Church Road from Sooke Road to Wadams Way from early September 2021 to the end of November 2021.

Hazelwood will work with affected residents to maintain access to their homes throughout the construction period.

During this construction period, traffic disruptions can be expected and detours may be in effect. Every effort will be made to keep local disruptions to a minimum. If night work is required, additional notice will be provided.

Construction signs will be posted and flagpersons will be on duty to assist with the traffic flow. Please exercise caution, obey all signage placed for your safety and follow the directions of the flagpersons on duty. If you have young children, please advise them of the dangers and limited visibility of heavy equipment and trucks.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding during construction.

If you have any questions or require further information regarding this project please contact:

• Hazelwood Construction Services (Greg Field, Project Manager) (778) 268-0592
• McElhanney (Doug Stafford, Inspector) (250) 533-6299

Related:

• District of Sooke Traffic Advisory Information Page