Saanich is set to begin the second phase of the Shelbourne Street Improvements Project, which is expected to take 24 months to complete.
The second phase, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 2, will see construction from North Dairy Road to Elm Street, which will include protected bike lanes and other active transportation upgrades.
“With the positive feedback on the first phase, it’s exciting to see the next phase of this major project get underway,” said Mayor Fred Haynes. “Residents, businesses and commuters will all benefit from the improvements we’re making on this important, busy corridor.”
The second phase of the project will see the following changes:
- new northbound and southbound separated cycle tracks from North Dairy Road to Pear Street;
- new raised multi-use path on Derby Road connecting Shelbourne Street to the Bowker Creek greenway at Browning Street;
- traffic signal upgrades at intersections of Shelbourne Street at North Dairy Road, McRae Avenue, Cedar Avenue and Pear Street;
- new pedestrian and cyclist activated traffic signals at intersections of Shelbourne Street at Knight Avenue and Derby Road;
- all intersections upgraded to improve crossings for pedestrians and cyclists;
- full road repaving;
- new highly visible reflective road markings and embedded pavement reflectors;
- replacement of all Shelbourne Street sidewalks;
- new and upgraded sidewalks on McRae Avenue from Shelbourne Street to Keats Street
- improved roadway lighting;
- replacement of underground utility infrastructure (water, sewer, storm drainage);
- new street trees and landscaping;
- improved bus stops with new shelters and lighting; and
- new street furniture including bike locking posts, waste receptacles and benches.
As part of the second phase, there will be a new UVic bike connector which will have bike lanes along Pear Street and Poplar Avenue between Richmond Road and Shelbourne Street.
The UVic bike connector will also include the installation of an improved pedestrian crossing, a protected intersection at Poplar Avenue and Richmond Road, and a new sidewalk on the north side of Pear Street and Poplar Avenue.
This follows the first phase of the project, which was completed early July.
Saanich says it has taken steps to reduce the number of trees needing to be removed as part of construction, but has committed to planting three trees for every tree removed in accordance with its tree protection bylaw.
After the completion of the second phase, the third and final phase of the project is expected to get underway, which will see improvements made from Garnet Road to Pear Street.
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