About this project

The Esquimalt Road Active Transportation Improvements and Utilities Upgrades Project will better connect Esquimalt Road to critical areas, including the City of Victoria, Department of National Defence lands, business center, recreation centre, and other local and regional destinations.

This project is part of the Township's new Active Transportation Network Plan , which aims to create a 5.3-kilometer bike-friendly network on Tillicum Road, Lampson Street, and Esquimalt Road and supports our goal to improve walking and biking experiences for everyone.

Postal strike- In addition to online promotion, direct outreach, newsletters and signage, the township has direct mail postcards that were slated to be in mailboxes November 18/19 to help support communications. These will not be arriving while the strike is ongoing. We apologize to those expecting additional mail notification.

What’s happening now ?

Thank you to everyone who participated in Phase 1! We’re in Phase 2 of this project. We’re seeking your feedback on proposed bike route options to make Esquimalt Road (Joffre Street to Canteen Road) safer and better connected for active transportation.

Starting November 21, the project team will share information boards online and in hard copy that outline different route options both on Esquimalt Road and along neighbouring streets. The boards will also share key considerations about the route options to better illustrate the anticipated effects of the changes. A survey will open to collect feedback.

What we are sharing November 21: visual maps of route options

We're asking you to

1. Share what bike route option best meets the needs of the community
   • An on-corridor route; or
   • Off-corridor routes
2. Learn about the key considerations of each option and share your feedback.

Join us for our drop-in open house

• Thursday November 28, 4 - 7 pm; Esquimalt Rec Centre - Craigflower Room, 527 Fraser Street
• Thursday Jan 16, 3-7pm; Esquimalt Rec Centre Atrium (DATE ADDED)

Take the survey

Stay tuned – survey opens on November 21, 2024!

Our process

This project has two key phases. It will incorporate public feedback and technical analysis to ensure the best possible design before moving into construction in 2025.

Phase 1: In the first phase (fall 2024), we focused on the section of Esquimalt Road from Dominion Road to Joffre Street. We asked you for your feedback on our design, including a protected bike lane and new multi-use crossings to improve safety and comfort for all road users.

Phase 2: In this second phase (December 2024 to January 2025), we focus on the section of Esquimalt Road from Joffre Street to Canteen Road. We’re asking for your feedback on several bike route possibilities. One is a protected bike lane on Esquimalt Road, and we're exploring alternate routes off Esquimalt Road using neighbourhood bikeways.

These phases will also upgrade underground utilities to save on costs and streamline construction efforts. Phase 1 and Phase 2 construction is planned to occur in 2025.

What bike route options are we considering for Phase 2?

Project mapping boards will be published November 21, 2024. Review the boards to learn more about the key considerations of each option.

Route overviews:

Option 1 – A protected bike lane on Esquimalt Road

This option includes:

• Adding quick-build protected bike lanes that physically separates bikes from cars
• Improving crossings by adding flashing lights to make it safer for people who walk, roll and bike
• Installing new accessible curb ramps for people with mobility challenges and disabilities
• Improving road surface for vehicles and bikes through milling and paving in select locations.
• Removal of all on-street parking along Esquimalt Rd (Phase 2). New/relocated spaces will include accessible parking, loading zones and time limited zones. Parking changes and off-corridor opportunities to be identified in engagement material.

Option 1A – A protected bike lane on Esquimalt Road with select median removals

This option includes:

• All items listed in Option 1
• Removal of 2 centre medians and trees between Admiral Rd. and park Pl. to facilitate the retention of 9 vehicle parking spaces
• Removal of the centre turn lane between Comerford St. and Park Pl.

Option 2/3 – These options include several alternate routes off Esquimalt Road using neighbourhood bikeways. A neighbourhood bikeway is a traffic calmed, shared road for cyclists and cars. No physical bike lane is present on neighbourhood bikeways

Option 2 Lyall neighbourhood bikeway connector

This option includes:

• Speed humps
• Other traffic calming measures (bollards, quick build medians, etc.)
• Pinch points and chicanes (e.g. curves in the road)
• Traffic diverters: local road/lane closures to limit cut-through traffic
• Pavement markings showing a shared roadway for people biking and driving
• Multi-use crossings with flashing lights to get on/off Esquimalt Rd.
• Does not include a protected bike lane (when off-corridor)

Option 3 Fraser protected bikeway with neighbourhood bikeway connector

This option includes:

Quick build protected bike lane along the eastern side of Fraser Street which would connect to parts of the Lyall neighbourhood bikeway by either using Fraser or Carlisle/Comerford.

• Speed humps
• Other traffic calming measures (bollards, quick build medians, etc.)
• Pinch points and chicanes (e.g. curves in the road)
• Traffic diverters: local road/lane closures to limit cut-through traffic
• Multi-use crossings with flashing lights to get on/off Esquimalt Rd.
• Shared roadway pavement markings (sharrows) for people biking and driving