The McKenzie interchange project in Saanich is not on time and is now over budget.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has confirmed the McKenzie interchange project is now expected to cost $96 million, $11 million over budget.
According to the ministry, the increased provincial contribution of $11 million is attributed to design modifications to the centre pier due to “variable rock conditions, additional environmental management, and schedule delays due to winter weather and efforts to lessen traffic and noise impacts.”
The project, which is a new interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway at the Admirals Road and McKenzie Avenue intersection, was originally supposed to be finished in 2018 after work started in September 2016. The completion date was then pushed to the end of 2019 and then in April, the timeline was changed again for the project to end in summer 2020.
According to the B.C. government, the new interchange will reduce frequency and severity of collisions, save commuters time, reduce idling and fuel consumption, improve cycling and pedestrian safety and improve transit facilities, including bus-on-shoulder lanes.
About 85,000 vehicles travel through the area daily.
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