The addition of a left-turn lane on the Millstream Road overpass will prove to be worth the frustration the day the work is completed, whether you’re coming into or heading out of Langford from points beyond.
The fact that it was part of the original plans dating back to the late 1990s demonstrates that those in the know knew the need was coming.
The amount of development in that area plus the draw of new residential and shopping options not available in other parts of the Capital Region has only heightened the need. Millstream Road from Veterans Parkway to Treanor Road is one of the busiest stretches of roadway in Langford at just about any time of day, arguably seven days a week.
While the number of drivers lured to Langford by Costco is only a part of the problem the additional lane will address, the scope of growth and development in that area means the crush of commuters living there who have to travel to Victoria for work, school and a variety of other reasons will continue to rise.
Circa 2000 when the Capital Regional District’s regional growth strategy earmarked the West Shore for residential growth, it’s fair to say Langford jumped on board with both feet.When you consider that Langford council has made adding industry and offices a priority, anything that addresses the back and forth flow of traffic through the municipality into other areas has to help.
The recent completion of Westshore Parkway, linking it from Sooke Road right through to the Trans-Canada Highway is another success story, in terms of moving the volume of traffic around more efficiently. The completion of the Bear Mountain Parkway to Leigh Road should also help lighten the loads on our roads.
Unfortunately, most commuters will still have to grit their teeth through the Crawl for the foreseeable future.