The construction of the 24-hour designated transit and bike lanes on Douglas Street has been completed.
Starting Monday, November 5th, vehicles caught travelling in the northbound and southbound priority lanes on Douglas from Fisgard St to Tolmie Ave will be fined $109.
Vehicles are only allowed to be in the lanes if they’re making a right turn in the same block.
Currently, the lanes are designated for transit and bikes from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. southbound and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. northbound from Herald Street to Tolmie Avenue.
“I know people are fed up with the congestion during their morning and afternoon commutes. These priority bus lanes should save time for people taking the bus,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena.
“These communities continue to be among the fastest growing in Canada, and we are doing everything we can to encourage people to get out of their cars and take transit.”
Funded by the provincial government and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission, the new lanes will operate as follows:
- Northbound
- 24/7 between Pembroke St and Tolmie Ave
- 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. only between Fisgard St and Pembroke St
- Southbound:
- 24/7 between Tolmie Ave and Kings Rd
- 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. only between Kings Rd and Fisgard St
In the next few weeks, Victoria Police will be engaging in an active education campaign about the project.
“This is the first step towards a rapid transit system that connects the downtown to the entire region,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps when the construction was first announced.
“A transformational bus rapid transit system will give residents and visitors an option for fast, direct transportation in and out of the downtown, so they can spend less time and money stuck in traffic and more of their day doing what they love.”
