On Wednesday, October 8, a new road to the existing Johnson Street Bridge will open from the intersection of Esquimalt and Harbour Roads.
Opening the roadway now will minimize future impacts to motorists and create more usable space for the contractor during construction. The new road will eventually connect with the new bridge.
The new approach to the bridge includes a temporary sidewalk and an extension of the cycling lanes on Esquimalt Road. The road remains single lane traffic in both directions and the area is an active construction zone with a posted speed limit of 30 km.
The E&N Trail connection at Kimta Road will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists with the existing pathway to the south side of the bridge maintained. Harbour Road will remain closed to vehicles at Esquimalt Road as work continues at the intersection until mid-November. Pedestrian and cycling access will be maintained on Harbour Road.
In mid-November, a new two-way extension of Harbour Road south of Esquimalt Road will open, providing access to the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort and future waterfront green space. In 2016, public land on the south side of the bridge will be consolidated to create more than two acres of waterfront park space.
The new intersection will be complete by November and will include new traffic signals and improved accessibility for pedestrians with crosswalks along all four sides of the intersection. The existing Johnson Street Bridge will continue to remain open throughout construction.
Once complete, more than 50 per cent of the new bridge will be dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists. The new bridge will include on-road bike lanes, a multi-use trail for pedestrians and cyclists, and a dedicated pedestrian pathway in addition to maintaining three lanes for vehicles. Three new plaza areas for the public to sit and view the harbour and a new waterfront park are also planned enhancements to the area as a result of the bridge project.
