Tillicum & Lampson active transportation improvement project

About this project

The township has proposed design improvements for both Lampson and Tillicum streets. Using feedback based on our Active Transportation Network Plan public engagement as well as previous surveys, these draft designs aim to enhance road safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Before moving forward to finalize designs, the township wanted to showcase the plan’s features then hear feedback from residents and businesses on these proposed changes.

• View the designs for the Tillicum and Lampson corridors

Plan highlights include protected bike lanes on Tillicum Road from Gorge to Craigflower with further connections to Lampson southbound on Tillicum and east/west on Craigflower. Lampson Street will include protected bike lanes from Esquimalt Road to Transfer Street and a short section of neighbourhood bikeways on Lampson between Craigflower and Transfer. There will also be new crossings added along both corridors and the removal of an aging/redundant traffic signal at Head Street and Old Esquimalt Road.

Project update

Read the public engagement summary "What we heard" Report: December 2022

The engagement summary went to Esquimalt Committee of the Whole on January 16, 2023 with council making recommendations in addition to what was presented in the report:

1. Tillicum and Lampson Active Transportation Improvements, Staff Report No. EPW-23-001

a) “That the COTW recommend to Council that staff be directed to finalize designs for active transportation improvements on Tillicum and Lampson corridors, with the following additions based on public engagement: • additional traffic calming islands on Lampson Street between Craigflower Road and Transfer Street; • review an additional flashing beacon crosswalk on Lampson Street at Fernhill Road; • review of the Lampson Street and Devonshire Road / Rockheights Avenue intersection for an additional flashing beacon multi-use crosswalk and southbound left turn lane; • widen the sidewalk on Old Esquimalt Road between Lampson Street and Head Street as described in Staff Report No. EPW-23-001.

b) That the COTW recommend to Council that the design for the active transportation improvements on Tillicum and Lampson corridors be referred to the Environment, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for information.”

More information

• Both Lampson Street and Tillicum Road—which see 11,350 and 17,000 daily vehicles respectively—have gaps in both the cycling and pedestrian networks. The corridors provide key north-south travel routes through the township.
• Keeping regional transportation in mind, the planned infrastructure connects to the District of Saanich’s recently added bike lanes on the north side of the Gorge Bridge on Tillicum Road. The planned improvements will connect the two communities to allow for continuous protected cycling along the major routes.
• The township is taking a “quick build” approach to the designs: quick-build facilities allow for faster construction times while still delivering all Ages and Abilities (AAA) bike facilities. Quick-build facilities also tend to be more economical to install and allow the township to focus funds on other upgrades including roadway surface and intersection/crossing improvements.
• Parking will be removed in two areas: Esquimalt to Old Esquimalt = ~17 spaces and Old Esquimalt to Colville = ~24 spaces