News release
For immediate release
Esquimalt, B.C.—Plans are underway to add much-needed active transportation infrastructure to two significant corridors in Esquimalt. 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.
“Esquimalt has a good foundation of cycling infrastructure, but we want to make active transportation safer and more appealing to our community in key areas,” said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “This means that walking, rolling and cycling will be more accessible to people of all of ages and abilities so that they and their loved ones can enjoy travelling in the township.”
The survey is now closed, thank you for your participation. Results will be shared with council in January 2023
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.
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.
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.
Increasing active transportation also plays a significant role in mitigating climate change—the transportation sector accounts for 33 per cent of the community’s greenhouse gas emissions. Completing bike lanes on Tillicum and Lampson, while adding new pedestrian crossings on Tillicum address high priority gaps in the network and will increase active transportation in Esquimalt and reduce cars on the road.
Eighteen per cent of Esquimalt commuters of walk or cycle to work according to the 2021 census.
The Township of Esquimalt will be presenting the draft designs and have a survey open for comment starting at noon on December 2. The survey will be open until December 16. Results will be presented to council in January. Construction will begin in 2023.
For more details and the survey, go to EngagingEsquimalt.ca.
See our active transportation information
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Contact
Tara Zajac, Manager of Communications
250-414-7122
Tara.zajac@esquimalt.ca