Media release

For immediate release

Shelbourne Street improvements: construction kicks off in April

Saanich, BC – Residents, businesses and commuters will benefit from improvements scheduled for Shelbourne Street this spring.

“The community has been asking for improvements on Shelbourne Street and we’re thrilled to announce that construction for phase one of this multi-year project will kick off soon. This is a large step in improving our active transportation network and our first focus is the area from Garnet Road to Torquay Drive.” said Mayor Fred Haynes. “We’ll be renewing a number of aging critical assets and we thank the public for their patience as we complete this important work. We know these are currently challenging times amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and I want to assure that public that as an essential municipal service, crews will ensure that this work is completed in a safe and healthy way.”

Improvements to watch for

• New buffered bike lanes
• Improved pedestrian infrastructure
• Improved transit infrastructure
• Renewed or upgraded sewer, storm drain and water infrastructure
• Renewed asphalt road surface
• New traffic signals at Cedar Hill Road/Feltham Road and Shelbourne Street at Torquay Drive intersections

Phases and timing

Construction of this phase is expected to take approximately 15-18 months. Construction of phase two is expected to begin in late 2021, and phase three is expected to begin in 2023.

Construction impacts

• Construction will be completed by Ralmax Contracting Ltd.
• Residents and businesses near the construction area have been notified of any impacts and we will continue to update the general public via saanich.ca and our social media channels.
• We will continue to be mindful that this is a busy corridor and have planned any traffic disruptions accordingly. To support traffic impacts in the area, the new traffic signal at Cedar Hill Road / Feltham Road will be one of the first components of the infrastructure to be built.
• We have worked diligently to ensure that the number of trees that must be removed is as few as possible. Some trees will be removed, mainly in the area of the Shelbourne Road/Feltham Road intersection; however, for every tree that must be removed three will be replanted.

COVID-19 considerations

• The Province has deemed municipalities to be an essential service. As such, work will continue on the project. Crews will start as planned and work to ensure that physical distancing measures and deep cleaning protocols are adhered to. This safety focus will allow crews and residents to stay safe while this important project continues.
• Ralmax Contracting Ltd. will include safe work methods in their safety plan for effective mitigation of COVID-19 exposure and the safe performance of their work.

Learn more

Visit: saanich.ca/Shelbourne

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Media contact:
Saanich Communications 
media@saanich.ca