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Trail building: Langford looks to connect parkways

Langford Parkway may be punched through to Sooke Road, West Shore Parkway
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Langford Coun. Winnie Sifert

Drivers heading home to northern areas of Langford, or to Sooke from up island may soon have an easier time of it.

The City of Langford is applying for a new federal infrastructure grant it would use to connect West Shore Parkway with Langford Parkway and Sooke Road, a wish-list plan which has previously been cost prohibitive.

Director of engineering Michelle Mahovlich said the undertaking is estimated to cost about $20 million.

"(It's) quite a significant project; it would create a lot of jobs," she said. "We have dozens and dozens of inquires and requests (for this). We can certainly back the grant application with community support."

The federal grants, to be matched by the province, are intended for projects that work toward the betterment of a region.

Langford's portion would come out of road development funds raised from developers, leaving taxpayers off the hook. Nearby developments such as Kettle Creek and Westhills, which have a vested interest in this project, may pay directly for some of the work and get credit from the city.

The plan calls for the road to be extended 3.5 kilometres, beyond the railway tracks and up to a roundabout at the end of Langford Parkway. From there it would connect with Sooke Road at Awsworth Road.

The route will give greater access to northwest areas of Langford and to Sooke, with vehicles able to avoid Goldstream Avenue and Jacklin Road.

"Won't that be nice, not to have to go down Jacklin?" said Langford Coun. Winnie Sifert. "It'll be great. Looking forward to it."

The road would be three lanes, one in each direction plus a centre turning lane, plus bike lanes. There are no plans for sidewalks due to the cost.

Council has awarded a design contract worth about $75,000 to On Point Project Engineers Ltd. to make a detailed design, a necessary aspect of applying for the grant.

Mahovlich doesn't expect an answer about the grant until late 2014 or early 2015.

kwells@goldstreamgazette.com