A new BC Transit exchange in Westhills could be on the way, providing all of the funding falls into place.
The new four-bay exchange would be on Westhills Drive just west of the YM/YWCA building and library, said Westhills Land Corporation general manager Ryan McKenzie.
“It would be adjacent to the E&N corridor and the existing parking lot with 300 stalls,” McKenzie said. “It works well for BC Transit and would help with future transportation needs.”
BC Transit has already identified improved service to the University of Victoria and CFB Esquimalt Dockyard as priorities, McKenzie noted.
There are a lot of students and workers in Westhills commuting to those locations already, and the new exchange would help serve the larger region as well, McKenzie added.
He expects BC Transit will make a decision on approving the new exchange when budget items are finalized by the end of February.
The aim is for the cost of about $200,000 to be shared equally by BC Transit, Westhills and The City of Langford.
A Dec. 13 City of Langford staff report indicated the funding could be made available through the Neighbourhood Beautification budget as an option.
Michelle Mahovlich, Langford’s director of engineering, said the transit exchange is subject to Council’s approval, and she expects a decision in March or April.
A transit exchange on Station Avenue completed in 2009 that was partially funded by Langford has been well used. However, much of the parking has been inside the existing right of way owned by the Island Corridor Foundation. That has created some challenges, including maintenance of the gravel parking surface, Mahovlich added.
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