Transportation Master Plan: Implementation

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

Today, the governments of Canada and British Columbia announced the successful recipients of the COVID Resilience stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, and Sooke is one of them. The District will be receiving $1.8 Million for the Otter Point Active Transportation Corridor Project.

This project includes the construction of approximately 430 meters of sidewalks and 720 meters of bike lanes as well as crosswalks to provide a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists from Wadams Way to Highway 14.

“In advance, I would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience during the road construction projects. I know a lot is happening in our community. This activity is the result of the District’s efforts to leverage grant opportunities, maximizing residents’ tax dollars, and respond to the community’s needs for active transportation networks,” shares Mayor Maja Tait. “Council adopted the Transportation Master Plan in October, following community consultation, and considerable progress is being made to action this plan. We are building a low carbon resilient community where residents can walk, stroll and roll safely within Sooke,” Tait adds.

Contractors will be mobilizing during the first week of September and construction is anticipated to be complete by November. The contractor will be providing a certified Traffic Management Plan for the construction of the corridor projects, which includes the Church Road Corridor project included in the 2021 budget, with updates on traffic management being share through the District website closer to the projects commencing.

Learn more:

• Canada and British Columbia invest in local infrastructure to help build community connections in the Vancouver Island region
• District of Sooke Transportation Master Plan

Related:

• District of Sooke Traffic Advisory Information
• District of Sooke Transportation Master Plan Implementation Information
• District of Sooke Budget Information
• Let’s Talk Low Carbon Resilience

The Otter Point Active Transportation Corridor is inclusive of bike lanes, sidewalks, boulevard improvements, lighting, and pavement resurfacing on both sides of the corridor.

This project is included in the 5-year financial plan for construction in 2024; however, a significant grant opportunity to fund the majority of this project was presented for Council consideration at the January 25^th Regular Council Meeting. Staff are proceeding with direction and support from Council to apply the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream through the Canada Infrastructure Program. The grant submission deadline is January 27, 2021. Grant status notification should be received on/around April 2021. If successful, the project will begin in summer 2021 with a target competition date of October 31, 2021.

The District will be consulting neighbouring property owners to determine changes in access and communicate impacts and opportunities. Neighbouring property owners can expect the District to connect with them by Thursday, February 4th, 2021.

Through five-year budget planning, 2021 Capital Transportation Project have been identified to include:

Church Road Design & Construction
The Church Road/ Throup Road Roundabout and the Church Road/ Highway 14 Intersection Improvements projects are both important capital infrastructure upgrades that will benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.

The Church Road at Highway 14 Intersection Improvements include reconfiguring the road cross-section to include a bike lane and a turn lane to address long queue times at the intersection during peak hours.

As reported in the TMP, the intersection of Church Road and Throup Road requires a roundabout in order to improve safety and sightlines, and deal with the difficult existing geometry and grades. This will help facilitate additional pedestrian and vehicle traffic from the Throup Road connection to Phillips Road, as well as from development in the surrounding area" (TMP, p.42)

Brailsford Place Connection

"Connect the west and east sections of Brailsford Place by removing the barrier currently in-place and alter street design to provide a continuous Local Street standard" (TMP, p. 68).

Throup Connector Design (Charters to Phillips)

Design as reported in the TMP: extending Throup Road to connect Charters Road and Phillips Road. This will provide a connection between Phillips Road and the Town Centre as an alternative to Highway 14 and is the first section of the “Grant Road Connector” project that is included in the MOU between the District and the Ministry (TMP, p. 41).

Wadams/Otter Point/Grant Road West Design

As documented in the TMP, "The section of Otter Point Road between Highway 14 and Wadams Way requires streetscape upgrades to provide walking and cycling facilities, as well as to address congestion at the intersection with Highway 14. The 2013 MOU with MoTI also prescribes the realignment of the intersection with Wadams Way in order to improve sightlines and safety, and allow a continuous connection to the Grant Road Connector to the west. A roundabout is the preferred treatment for this intersection" (TMP, p. 42).

Drennan/Charters Intersection

This project is required to support additional density from the 2 BC housing developments. A delay in implementation from 2021 is being considered to strategically implement these intersection upgrades closer to, or in conjunction with, the Throup connection to Phillips Road – this will ultimately reduce congestion on HWY 14.

Phillips Road Design

Design of Active Transportation upgrades, including Sidewalks and cycling facilities, on Phillips Road between Highway 14 and the future Throup Road intersection (TMP, p. 68).

Charters Road Design

Design of sidewalk installation and complete streets upgrade on Charters Road between Highway 14 and Throup Road / Journey Middle School (TMP, p. 68).

EV Chargers

Public charging station to be installed on Eustace Road.

Streetlight Installation & Transit Stops
Town core improvements in coordination with Church/Otter Point Corridor projects.