FAQs

Esquimalt Road was identified as a part of the engagement process in 2021 for the Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) as a key east/west corridor for active transportation. Council endorsed the ATNP in 2022 which identified a series of quick-build bike corridors. In 2023-2024 construction of the first AAA bike facilities on Tillicum and Lampson were construction. Esquimalt Rd is next in the queue to connect to key destinations. The project was initially identified a single project but due to significant utility restorations and the desired for additional engagement, the project was split into Phase 1 (Dominion to Joffre) and Phase 2 (Joffre to Canteen).

Though there are many possible east/west routes and many north/south roadways along Phase 2, the options shown in the engagement reflect potential viable options that will be used to garner feedback on both on-corridor and off-corridor options. Feedback on routes not shown or areas of improvement on the routes shown, will be accepted.

The total amount budgeted for Phase 2 of the project is $3.825M. This includes $3.5M of capital budget as well as $325,000 from development contributions. This includes funds for several different pieces of infrastructure including roadway paving, storm/sewer utility upgrades, crosswalks/traffic signals, pedestrian improvements, and bike lanes. See board 13 for approx. split.

Construction for Phase 1 (Dominion to Joffre) should start in 2025 pending successful tendering. Construction for Phase 2 (Joffre to Canteen) is TBD pending reporting back to council for further direction. Construction could occur in later 2025/2026 if advanced.

We plan on having two open houses (November 28^th and January 16^th) and have extended the survey until late January. This is an important time to provide feedback, and the survey/open houses will be the primary input on our report back to council in 2025. Detailed design refinement engagement on chosen route, expected later in 2025, if proceeding.

 We work closely with emergency services providers to make refinement to design to better assist with their response calls. As a part of previous corridors, we have made the follows changes: review signal timing to reduce delays, created maximum distance of continuous concrete medians (create gaps where safe to do so) to allow for vehicle pullouts if centre space is not available, increase median offsets from intersections and driveways to better accommodated turning movements, perform trial runs and turning movements confirmations.

The July 15, 2024 Committee of the Whole instructed staff to ask for feedback from the public about possible active transportation designs both on and off Esquimalt Road. The results of this round of engagement will help council decide on next steps in this project.