It’s a case of good before the bad with the first phase of construction on the Ministry of Transportation’s McKenzie interchange project having reached the halfway point.
While the first stage is moving along well on the $85-million Trans-Canada Highway project, which aims to streamline traffic flow from the West Shore and up Island, further significant traffic slowdowns are on the way. A second and final construction tender will be posted to B.C. Bid later this spring.
Night delays along the TCH this month have seen northbound right curb lane and centre-left lane closures west of the McKenzie intersection between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Despite reports of drilling and blasting keeping area residents up at night, Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell said he knows of only one official complaint, which was followed up by staff.
The drilling and blasting is scheduled to be finished by the end of April. Crews completing the first contract still have a number of tasks to complete, including placing pre-loaded soil and materials to compress the existing soft soils. Installing vertical drainage to release groundwater will help speed up the soil settling process.
Work on the relocated Galloping Goose Trail includes constructing retaining walls. The widened and realigned trail will eventually connect to a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge over McKenzie Avenue. Other significant projects remaining are the relocation of a waterline and a temporary pedestrian bridge over the highway.
The second phase of work will begin in summer 2017 and the overall project is slated for completion in late 2018. For McKenzie Interchange traffic updates visit drivebc.ca or Twitter with @DriveBC.
reporter@saanichnews.com
