The B.C. government has announced $7.6 million to build transit queue lanes and new bus stops at the Pat Bay Highway and Mount Newton Cross Road intersection.
There will also be enhanced active transportation facilities by making enhancements to existing pathways by widening the pathways and adding new sidewalks.
Further, there will be three new bus stops installed at the intersection: two on either side of the highway, and a third on Mount Newton Cross Road.
“Our government is committed to providing convenient and affordable public transit alternatives to travelling by car,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“These enhancements will make travel easier and faster for transit users and provide more safe, active transportation options for people walking and cycling along the Highway 17 corridor, benefiting businesses and connecting communities for years to come.”
The bus queue jump lanes will begin before the intersection, to allow the buses to get to the traffic light ahead of other traffic in order to bypass congestion. After the traffic lights, buses will then merge back into traffic.
A breakdown of the costs for the project will not be available until the project is completed, but the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says the budget includes project management, engineering and construction costs.
The work will be completed as night work, in order to minimize traffic disruptions on the Pat Bay Highway during the day.
Nanaimo-based Milestone Equipment Contracting Inc. is the company that was chosen to complete this project.
This story has been updated with information from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Laura Brougham
