Workers are scheduled begin preliminary engineering work on the overpass “flyover” project at Pat Bay Highway and Keating Cross Road next week.
In a statement on Wednesday, the provincial government announced that field crews will be conducting geotechnical investigations throughout July and August on site.
They will be drilling holes and analyzing soil samples to understand subsurface ground conditions, and environmental management and archeological teams will be on site to conduct assessments.
Workers’ presence may lead to lane closures and minor delays, and drivers are asked to obey traffic control personnel.
This overpass project was first announced last summer, as an initiative to alleviate congestion and improve safety at that intersection.
Once complete, the flyover will run from the Pat Bay Highway northbound to Keating Cross Road westbound, getting rid of the left turn across highway traffic onto Keating Cross Road.
The project will also create a realigned southbound on-ramp to the Pat Bay Highway southbound and bus-on-shoulder facilities to support future plans for bus rapid transit on the highway.
In addition, Keating Cross Road will be widened, including the sidewalks, to improve traffic conditions for people using the overpass.
The federal government has contributed over $16.7 million to this project, while the District of Central Saanich is providing $2.5 million.
The provincial government’s contribution will be determined after the business case review.
