Separated bike lanes planned for Lampson, Tillicum roads in Esquimalt

Separated bike lanes planned for Lampson, Tillicum roads in Esquimalt
Township of Esquimalt
An artist concept rendering of proposed changes to Tillicum Road near Esquimalt Gorge Park..

Separated bike lanes are coming to two vital roads in Esquimalt.

Earlier this month, the Township of Esquimalt unveiled proposed design improvements for both Lampson and Tillicum streets, which it realized could cost upwards of $3.3 million.

According to the proposed plan, Esquimalt plans to install protected bike lanes on Tillicum Road from Gorge to Craigflower roads.

The municipality also plans to add protected bike lanes on Lampson Street, from Esquimalt Road to Transfer Street, and a short section of neighbourhood bikeways on Lampson between Craigflower and Transfer where cyclists and vehicles will share the road.

There will also be new crossings added on both roads and an aging traffic signal at Head Street and Old Esquimalt Road will be removed.

If realized, the upgrades will result in the removal of 17 parking spaces removed between Esquimalt and Old Esquimalt roads and roughly 24 spaces removed between Old Esquimalt and Colville.

In a statement on its website, the Township says the plans, which are intended to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, are based on feedback received by the public and on its Active Transportation Network Plan.

“Esquimalt has a good foundation of cycling infrastructure, but we want to make active transportation safer and more appealing to our community in key areas,” said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “This means that walking, rolling and cycling will be more accessible to people of all of ages and abilities so that they and their loved ones can enjoy travelling in the township.”

Costs figures were not disclosed on Esquimalt’s website, but in an e-mailed statement to CHEK News, the municipality said the cost to build the protected bike lanes on Tillicum Road between Gorge Bridge and Craigflower Road, and multi-use crossings at Selkirk Avenue and near the entrance to Gorge Park, is an estimated $1,432,132.

An additional $1.9 million has been allocated for the work on Lampson Road and according to Esquimalt staff, the municipality has applied for a provincial grant of up to $500,000 to help offset some of the costs.

The plan has yet to be approved and the Township of Esquimalt is actively inviting the public to provide feedback, which can be done here.

 

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