Commuters are advised to be aware of several lane closures happening next week during the construction of the multi-use overpass at the McKenzie interchange.
Three lane closures on the Trans Canada Highway, each on a different day, are required to allow cranes to safely place girders for the new overpass.
They are as follows:
- Monday, September 30th: Highway 1 northbound will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Northbound traffic will be detoured onto Highway 1 southbound, meaning single-lane traffic in both directions through the project site.
- Thursday, October 3rd: Highway 1 southbound will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Southbound traffic will be detoured onto Highway 1 northbound, meaning single-lane traffic in both directions through the project site.
- Date TBD: The southbound exit lane onto Admirals Road will be closed for the final overpass girder placement. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will issue a statement once the date and time of this closure has been confirmed.
The new overpass will connect directly to the Galloping Goose Trail and measure 175 metres long and 4.1 metres wide.
While this structure will open to pedestrians and cyclists by spring 2020, the entire project – including the loop ramp, landscaping, and transit facilities – is slated for completion in the summer of next year.
See also: Province issues apology for further delay in completion of McKenzie interchange project
The Saanich McKenzie interchange project originally began in September 2016 with an $85 million budget and expected completion by late 2018.
Since then, the project has been delayed twice and $11 million has been added to the budget.
Schedule delays caused by several “unforeseen factors”, like significant weather events on the island (ie. heavy snowfall), and the discovery of highly variable rock under the existing intersection, are among reasons why the interchange costs more time and money to complete.
Once completed, the entire McKenzie interchange project is expected to save commuters about 20 minutes while travelling from downtown Victoria to the western communities.
