Work continues on the Keating flyover overpass that aims to offer a safe route for drivers on Greater Victoria’s busiest highway.
The northbound turn lane onto Keating Cross Road is being replaced with the overpass from Highway 17.
The project will also include realigning the southbound on-ramp to Victoria, closing the Highway 17 access at East Saanich and Martindale roads and the installation of a new sidewalk on Keating Cross Road.
“Thousands of people in vehicles and transit rely on this corridor to get to their jobs, families and for travel,” Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor said at a press conference on Tuesday (July 4). “Completing this project will now make Highway 17 safer. I would like to express our gratitude to the province for recognizing this safety improvement. This is the largest infrastructure project in the district of Central Saanich.”
Construction is expected to be finished in spring 2025.
“This project if very important for the region,” B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming said. “Communities are growing in this region and in the Saanich Peninsula. Those driving through the area need a route they can count on. This overpass will eliminate the possibility of a collision between vehicles travelling in opposite directions, making travel easier and safer for everyone while significantly improving the flow of goods and people. Safety is always our first priority as a government.”
The project is budgeted to cost $76.8 million, with $57.6 million coming from the province, $16.7 million from the federal government and $2.5 million from the District of Central Saanich. This funding was announced in August 2019.
Around 52,000 vehicles drive through the area on average per day. Over 4,000 vehicles drive through the region per hour at peak times.
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