Work at the McTavish interchange to start soon
Levi Timmermans, project manager, explains the process for the McTavish Road interchange build during an open house in North Saanich.
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McTavish and Canora roads will be closed later this month as the work begins on the McTavish interchange. McTavish will be closed from Highway 17 to Lochside Drive and Canora Road will be closed from McTavish to Rideau Avenue.
With work slated to start later this month, the latest version of the roundabouts for McTavish Road were unveiled to the public in North Saanich — including the traffic implications.
The interchange project, expected to be completed by March 2011, will see work start with placement of material to compress soft soils in the area. Construction of the major elements is expected to start in early 2010.
The upgrade to the intersection promises improvements to transit facilities, including expanding the current park and ride, as well as accommodating rapid bus service. The new plan has even added another roundabout on McTavish to regulate traffic access too and from the new transit exchange. One of the major concerns voiced by residents and municipal politicians was the roundabout worry — concern that drivers wouldn’t know how to use the traffic devices. The open house included some education and offered sign up for a free roundabout familiarization session with a driving instructor. A dedicated overpass added to the plan will help pedestrians and cyclists manoeuvre through the intersection safely.
After community input last summer, the concept was changed from the originally presented “tight diamond” with an elevated highway, to twin roundabouts. Last winter all three Peninsula mayors agreed that when it came to the Pat Bay Highway, the McTavish interchange was first in line for an update. Then last spring, MLA Murray Coell announced the project would move forward with government funding. The federal and provincial governments will both contribute $10.5 million and $3 million will come from the Victoria Airport Authority.
Learn more about the project at www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy_17_McTavish_Interchange/index.htm.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
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