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McKenzie roadwork near UVic expected this month

Upgrades to McKenzie Avenue near the University of Victoria could begin as early as mid-May.

Upgrades to McKenzie Avenue near the University of Victoria could begin as early as mid-May.

Saanich council on Monday was expected to approve awarding a $3.27-million contract to G&E Contracting LP to rebuild the busy road between McGill and Finnerty roads.

New bike lanes, left turn lanes and grassy medians will be installed, a traffic light at a new intersection (Phoenix Road at McKenzie) will be built, and the traffic light at Finnerty will be replaced by a traffic circle.

A second phase of upgrades to McKenzie, between Shelbourne Street and Gordon Head Road, is tentatively set to begin towards the end of the month. The roadway, running some 800 metres between intersections, will lose one westbound lane to accommodate new bike lanes on both sides of the road.

Eastbound on McKenzie toward UVic will remain two lanes and westbound past Gordon Head Road will become a single lane.

That roadwork will be done by Saanich crews, as opposed to a contractor.

Project manager Brad Ormiston says it'll take between six and seven months to complete the McKenzie Avenue upgrades.

kslavin@saanichnews.com