Transportation Master Plan: Implementation

The District is sharing this announcement from the Province of British Columbia:

B.C. builds cleaner communities with active transportation

People will have more opportunities to enjoy multi-use pathways, protected bike lanes, pedestrian bridges and safety improvements as local, regional and Indigenous governments expand their active transportation infrastructure.

For this intake period, $24 million from the Province will support 80 active transportation infrastructure projects in communities around British Columbia. These grants will help local governments plan and build improved connections to work, school and recreational centres, and create infrastructure in communities to support active modes of transportation.

“People are choosing to walk, run and cycle more each year. Our support means communities can think bigger when tackling transportation challenges and providing more options for people to get around,” said Dan Coulter, B.C. Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, at an event for two projects in the Vancouver Island community of Sooke.

In Sooke, new projects to build safe, inclusive active transportation connections will give people of all ages healthier and more convenient ways to explore their community. The completion of the Little River Multi-Use Trail will establish a vital link between the Sun River Neighbourhood and Ravens Ridge Park, connecting with Sooke’s town core.

Along Charters Road, safety improvements are being built for cyclists and pedestrians. This project will include extended sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian crossing infrastructure and a boulevard enhancement.

“I am thrilled and grateful to see the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program bolstering our community's efforts toward a more sustainable and accessible future,” said Maja Tait, mayor of Sooke. “With projects like the Little River Multi-Use Trail and enhancements along Charters Road, we’re improving safety and also fostering a healthier, more connected and resilient community.”

The Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program funds Indigenous, local and regional governments with cost-sharing investments of as much as $500,000 for infrastructure projects, and as much as $50,000 to develop active transportation network plans.

“People in Sooke and across our province are witnessing real, tangible enhancements in their neighbourhoods,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “Promoting active transportation isn't just about roads and paths, it's about fostering safer, healthier and more convenient lifestyles for all. By investing in bike lanes, sidewalks, safe routes to schools and trail networks now, we're laying the foundation for a safer, more interconnected future that benefits everyone.”

The Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program supports the Province’s CleanBC commitment to increase shares of trips by walking, cycling and transit.

Learn More:

B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/funding-grants/active-transportation-infrastructure-grants

Full announcement, including backgrounder:

B.C. builds cleaner communities with active transportation | BC Gov News

The eagerly awaited Church/Throup Roundabout project is reaching another significant milestone, with the roundabout anticipated to be functional by the end of this week. Completing this milestone marks a significant enhancement to the transportation infrastructure in our community, promising smoother traffic flow and increased safety for all road users.

To facilitate the final stages of construction and ensure a seamless transition to the roundabout system, traffic control personnel will be stationed alongside construction crews. Additionally, signage will be in place to guide motorists through the new traffic pattern and assist with traffic flow.

Residents and commuters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the proper usage of roundabouts. Here are some essential instructions to ensure safe navigation:

1. Slow down as you approach the roundabout and yield to vehicles already in the circle.
2. When entering the roundabout, yield to circulating traffic from your left.
3. Keep to the right of the central island and continue around the circle until you reach your exit.
4. Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to exit the roundabout.
5. Remember to yield to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalks.

Construction crews are continuing with concrete curbing in the roundabout button and islands, before completing asphalt paving (weather permitting) and proceeding to landscaping and line painting. Substantial completion is anticipated in early spring.

Learn more:

• ICBC – A Guide to Roundabouts

The District is thrilled to share this news from the Government of Canada on the District's successful Infrastructure Canada Grant Application and the resulting $1.3 million in funding towards the Little River Crossing multi-use pedestrian trails project.

Quotes

“Canada is known for its natural beauty and rich cultural history. We’re proud to support projects that honour that while better connecting our communities. Improving the trail network surrounding DeMamiel Creek will help Sooke residents and visitors alike get around safely and enjoy all that the area has to offer. We will continue to invest in active transportation infrastructure improvements across the country that make life better for Canadians.”

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“This project will facilitate instrumental connectivity in our community. It will offer safe and efficient travel over Little River (Demamiel Creek) drastically improving residents’ ability to reach desired destinations including schools, local businesses and recreation amenities. I extend my appreciation to the federal government for this significant investment that is certain to have a profound impact on how citizens get around town – alleviating the need for vehicle travel in a core area of Sooke.”

Her Worship, Maja Tait, Mayor of the District of Sooke

Quick facts

• The federal government is investing $1,307,610 in this project through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF), and the District of Sooke is contributing $871,740.
• Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity, and includes walking, cycling and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and more.
• The federal government is investing billions of dollars to provide predictable federal public transit funding which will be available to support reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit solutions beginning in 2026-27. This investment includes $400 million through the Active Transportation Fund over five years, starting in 2021, to make travel by active transportation easier, safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable.
• The National Active Transportation Strategy is the country's first coast-to-coast-to-coast strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits. The strategy’s aim is to make data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks and to create safe environments for more equitable, healthy, active, and sustainable travel options to thrive.
• The Active Transportation Fund complements Canada’s strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. Through the plan, the federal government has committed to providing permanent federal to encourage cleaner modes of transportation, such as low and zero-emission vehicles, transit and active transportation in every community.
• Active transportation infrastructure provides many tangible benefits, such as creating good middle-class jobs, strengthening the economy, promoting healthier lifestyles, providing affordable transportation options, cutting air and noise pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in safer active transportation infrastructure is key to ensuring people of all ages and abilities can access jobs and services and connect with their communities.

Associated links

• Active Transportation Fund
• National Active Transportation Strategy
• Strengthened Climate Plan
• Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia

At the Monday, November 27, 2023 Council Meeting, staff will present two grant applications for Council's consideration.

The team is seeking $1 million in funding for two projects through the province's Active Transportation stream, including Little River Pedestrian Crossing and the south end of Charters Road. The latter would round our phase 5 of ten active transportation projects looking to take shape in the town core and be executive following the successful competition of the Church/Throup Roundabout (2023-2024) at the north end of Charters Road (2024).

Attend the public meeting in Council Chambers and the District of Sooke municipal hall or watch online, 7 pm start.

The Church/Throup Roundabout Project is reaching a major milestone ahead of schedule! Paving of the first lift is scheduled to begin next week, weather permitting.

Please be advised of the following related road work schedule, which is set from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:

• Church Road CLOSED from Wadams Way to Throup Road on:
  • Tuesday, November 28;
  • Wednesday, November 29; and
  • Friday, December 1.
• Throup Road CLOSED at Church Road on:
  • Monday, December 11; and
  • Wednesday, December 13.

Follow posted detours and instructions from traffic control personnel.

We know that transportation and getting around Sooke safely is the “single biggest issue” for residents. We are listening and responding by moving forward with the implementation of the Transportation Master Plan as quickly as resources allow.

Overall, we hope the inconvenience will be relatively short-lived. In the meantime, we kindly ask residents to pack their patience or make alternative plans, if possible. Consider carpooling or using Transit if these are viable options for your household.

After progress is made on the Church/Throup Roundabout, we’ll proceed with the Charters Road Connector with works including significant structural repairs and the addition of sidewalks and bike lanes.

The District’s efforts through longer-term planning are to manage both vehicle and pedestrian traffic off of Highway 14, on our local roads, through a combination of infrastructure improvements and economic development.

Longer delays are expected on Church Road the weeks of October 2nd and 9th and drainage and storm works are addressed in the area.

Area neighbours will receive instructions from Hazelwood Construction as driveway access will be temporarily impacted. Crews will endeavour to provide 24 hours notice to affected residents. Please direct questions to Hazelwood Construction at 250-716-1940.

Significant works on the Church/Throup Roundabout Project are continuing as the District makes progress on this critical corridor project and responds to the needs of our growing community.

Best efforts will be made to balance construction requirements and lessen the impact on commuters; however, delays are expected.

Next week, Church Road will be open and Throup Road will re-open to single-lane alternating traffic. While this is good news and should help some of the backup congestion seen on Highway 14 last week, we are encouraging commuters to avoid the area, if possible. It is currently anticipated that single-lane alternating traffic will remain in place on Throup Road from Tuesday, September 5th until Friday, September 8th, 7am to 7pm.

Earlier today, the District announced the Active Routes to Schools Campaign which may offer a creative solution for managing area traffic congestion.

Those travelling to/from Poirier and Journey Schools are strongly encouraged to make use of alternative meeting spots/locations for their school commute, such as:

• Municipal Hall at 2205 Otter Point Road;
• Sooke Library at 6671 Wadams Way; or
• SEAPARC Parking Lot at 2168 Phillips Road.

Making use of such locations offers a transportation alternative with many benefits including helping school-aged children meet the recommendation to accumulate at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, which is associated with improved physical and mental health, and lessening congestion around schools.

While road works are disruptive, please be patient and kind as team members and project crews work hard for the benefit of Sooke.

Public Contact:
Hazelwood Construction
Tel: 250-716-1940

Related:

• Traffic Advisories (sooke.ca)
• District of Sooke Launching Active Routes to Schools Campaign in Partnership with Sooke School District
• Construction on Church/Throup Road Roundabout Project: Temporary Intersection Closure from August 29 to September 1 – Detours in Effect (sooke.ca)

Learn more:

• letstalk.sooke.ca/tmp

Significant works on the Church/Throup Roundabout Project are about to begin as the District continues implementation of the Transportation Master Plan and works to realize substantial project completion by late spring/early summer 2024.

Crews are currently mobilizing and next week, from Tuesday, August 29^th to Friday, September 1^st, a temporary closure of the Church/Throup Intersection will be in effect from 7 am to 7 pm.

Detours will be in place, please see the related Traffic Management Plan.

Those travelling in the area are asked to allow additional time for travel and follow signage and instructions of traffic personnel who are supporting the safety of the public and traffic crew alike.

Area neighbours will receive further information by letter from Hazelwood Construction.

Additional closures and traffic impacts are expected for the project’s duration. Patience is requested through the construction period as we progress community priorities for long-term traffic management in Sooke.

Learn more:

• Local Traffic advisories: sooke.ca/traffic-advisories
• Tenders Awarded for Charters Road and Church-Throup Road Roundabout Projects (sooke.ca)

Public Contact:
Hazelwood Construction
Tel: 250-716-1940

The District of Sooke is receiving $30,000 in funding from ICBC through their community road safety program to create two new crosswalks and install five flashing systems in the community --- helping make pedestrian travel safer.

This phase of crosswalk improvements includes:

• A new crosswalk with flashing lights on Phillips Road by SEAPARC front entrance;
• A new crosswalk with flashing lights on Grant Road by French Road;
• Flashing lights added to the Phillips Road crosswalk at the SEAPARC back entrance;
• Flashing lights added to the Church Road crosswalk on the Stickleback Urban Trail and Poirier Active School Travel Route; and
• Flashing lights added to the Otter Point at Rhodenite crosswalk.

Safely getting around town is important in any community. In Sooke, through recent budget engagement, residents are expressing this as one of the top priorities for our community.

Further, vehicle emissions are the greatest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in Sooke. Notably, travel within Sooke produces nearly the same amount of emissions as travel to and from Sooke. “If we are going to make an impact toward our goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030, we need to ensure people feel safe walking around town,” says Mayor Tait. “While there is much more work to do, this is welcome progress. I extend my appreciation to our funding partners for helping with efforts for a safer, healthier Sooke. ”

The total project budget is approximately $50,000 with $20,000 being funded by District of Sooke Climate Action funding, made possible thanks to support from the Local Government Climate Action Program.

The work will be completed this fall.

At the July 24, 2023 Council meeting, Council approved issuing two contracts on crucial road projects to assist with traffic management and work towards lessening congestion on Highway 14.

The Charters Road Corridor Project will see the addition of sidewalks, bike lanes and significant structural repairs to reopen the road to two-lane vehicle traffic.

Church Road at Throup will transform into a roundabout in advance of increased density in the area and the build-out of the Throup Road Connector.

Although specified project timelines are not yet available, both projects are expected to be completed next year. Once construction timelines are advanced, major project milestones and anticipated dates will be shared with the community.

The projects, totaling an estimated $11.5 million, are being funded through a combination of sources – including:

CHARTERS ROAD CORRIDOR ($7 million):

• $3.6 million: Growing Communities Fund
• $2.2 million: Road Development Cost Charges
• $1.0 million: Cash in lieu contributions (from development)
• $200,000: Community Building Fund

CHURCH-THROUP ROAD ROUNDABOUT ($4.5 million):

• $1.5 million: Growing Communities Fund
• $1.7 million: Road Development Cost Charges
• $500,000: Active Transportation Grant
• $800,000: Community Building and Casino Funds

Learn more:

• Stay informed on planned traffic events on the District’s traffic advisory page: sooke.ca/traffic-advisories.