With any road construction project in the City, of utmost importance is maintaining safe movement of people, vehicles and goods. This is true for Colwood Corners, where frontage improvements are taking place along a portion of Sooke Road, Colwood Crescent and Belmont Road.

Upgrading temporary road surfaces in active work zones

There will be several stages of work as frontage improvements progress at Colwood Corners. The first push is to upgrade underground services, including the water main, hydro and communications infrastructure. That will be followed by intersection upgrades, and then sidewalks, boulevards, lighting, seating and landscaping. 

This means there will be temporary asphalt in place to allow for repeated access at each stage of the project. City staff have worked with the contractor to adjust their compacting technique in an effort to achieve a more desirable driving surface. This has required that the contractor mill out the existing trench and repave the surface, and has resulted in a smoother ride. 

Colwood's Transportation Monitoring Program

Colwood actively monitors traffic impacts on roads within the City through a newly implemented Transportation Monitoring Program. Staff are able to track travel times and congestion on several major routes. When feedback is received about traffic concerns, staff check the monitoring system to confirm where delays are being experienced and determine if adjustments are possible to mitigate congestion.

Traffic control in construction zones

Safe practices for traffic control are mandated through the Traffic Management Manual for Work on Roadways which is published by the Ministry of Transportation. All certified traffic control companies are required to abide by this document.

In response to feedback regarding traffic control, the City has advised the general contractor who has met with the traffic control company to communicate those concerns and ensure the highest standard of traffic control is maintained at all times. 

Drive safely and consider alternate routes

Many of the goals in Colwood's community-led Official Community Plan are beginning to come to fruition in Colwood, including development of the Royal Bay lands and re-activation of the Colwood Corners development. These achievements bring with them some short-term impacts as sites are prepared, frontage improvements are implemented and transportation routes are enhanced.

Please respect the safety of people working in these construction zones by moderating your speed and following signage and instructions.

Whenever possible, choose an alternate route to avoid construction zones.