Mayor Doug Kobayashi welcomed Songhees Councillor Eugene Sam and MLA Darlene Rotchford along with other honoured guests and community groups at the official opening of the new Galloping Goose Bridge over Sooke Road in Colwood on Thursday, April 9th.
Colwood’s new pedestrian and cycling bridge was made possible thanks to a grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The federal government provided more than $1.9 million, and the provincial government contributed more than $1.6 million toward the $6.3 million project.
Creating this safe, seamless regional trail connection is an important way Colwood is working to encourage more residents and visitors to choose to travel in and around Colwood on foot or by bike, and to enjoy the picturesque Galloping Goose Regional Trail that runs through the heart of Colwood as it follows the old railway line on its 55km journey from Victoria to Sooke.
Bridging generations
First to cross the bridge at the opening event were a group of seniors from West Shore Village, an independent living residence adjacent to the trail. Walking the trail is a favourite daily activity for them and they were keen to be involved in the opening event and look forward to being daily users of the bridge.
Connection to the land
The City of Colwood sits on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen speaking people, now known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. The bridge offers the opportunity to make Lekwungen Indigenous history and culture more visible in Colwood. The City is working with an Indigenous Cultural Liaison and Knowledge Keeper from Songhees Nation on a procurement process to incorporate Indigenous art elements so that the bridge becomes a place of cultural significance and serves as a Lekwungen landmark.
Encouraging healthy living and active transportation
We know from the CRD Eco Counter on the Galloping Goose Trail at Wale Road in Colwood that every day an average of about 1,000 pedestrians and cyclists travel this way, and we expect that number to increase now that they can cruise safely over the highway uninterrupted. This supports our community's goals related to health and well-being, easing traffic congestion, attracting customers to nearby businesses, improving air quality, and reducing our climate impact.
A welcoming gateway into Colwood
The bridge is 38 metres long and 4 metres wide to comfortably accommodate cyclists and pedestrians traveling in each direction. Paved approaches to the bridge are designed with a comfortable 5 percent grade making it welcoming and accessible for all users.
Areas alongside the approaches are finished with rich soil and green matting that will allow the landscaped slopes to establish and blend naturally into the surrounding trail network, making the bridge a welcoming gateway for everyone traveling in and through the City of Colwood.
The City also has a project underway to construct a new Multi-Use Pathway along the length of the Colwood waterfront from the Lagoon Bridge to the growing Beachlands neighbourhood, connecting regional trail users to seaside areas in new ways. Watch for more details as work progresses!
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Quotes
The Honourable Stephanie McLean, MP, Secretary of State (Seniors)
Congratulations to the City of Colwood on this incredible milestone. The federal government contributed more than $1.9 million through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to build this accessible pedestrian and cycling overpass, allowing safe passage over Sooke Road. The Galloping Goose is a beautiful multi-use trail, stretching 55 kilometers from Victoria to Sooke and is sure to be enjoyed for many more years by the community and visitors alike.
Christine Boyle, MLA, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs
"This new bridge gives people of all ages a safer, more enjoyable way to walk and bike through Colwood, connecting daily routines with the beauty of Galloping Goose Trail,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “It strengthens our community by encouraging healthy living, supporting local businesses, and creating a welcoming gateway that reflects the cultural significance of the land we share. This project shows what we can achieve when all levels of government work together.”
Doug Kobayashi, Mayor of Colwood
“Colwood’s new bridge ticks so many boxes for people in our community: improving health and well-being, easing traffic congestion, attracting customers to nearby businesses, creating cultural connections, and reducing our climate impact,” said Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi. “More than that, this project is proof that strong collaboration between local, regional, provincial, federal, and Indigenous partners is the way to advance much needed infrastructure improvements as our communities grow.”
See also: Bridge Backgrounder
Media contact
Sandra Russell, Communications Manager
srussell@colwood.ca
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