Joint investment means safer commute for thousands on Vancouver Island

VICTORIA, April 23, 2019 /CNW/ - Significant highway improvements in Sooke and Langford on Vancouver Island will soon make the commute safer, faster and more reliable for the thousands who drive, cycle and take transit along these major corridors every day.

Today, the Honourable John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia, and the Honourable Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, announced federal and provincial funding for these improvements. 

In Sooke, improvements will be made to the Highway 14 corridor along the southern coast of Vancouver Island. Approximately 1.5 kilometres of road will be widened and realigned with a median barrier between Glinz Lake Road and Connie Road, a new park and ride will be constructed on Gillespie Road, and wider shoulders will be built between Otter Point Road and Woodhaven Road.

In Langford, the stretch of Highway 1 between Leigh Road and Westshore Parkway will be widened from three lanes to four and a new median barrier to separate traffic will be added. A new northbound through lane will also be constructed at the Westshore Parkway intersection.

Once complete, these critical corridors will be safer and more efficient for drivers. In Sooke, commuters will also benefit from the ease and convenience of a park and ride facility that will encourage people to use public transit and help reduce harmful emissions caused by gridlock.

Quotes

"Keeping people and goods moving smoothly is essential to helping our businesses compete and improving Canadians' quality of life. These vital improvements along Highways 1 and 14 on Vancouver Island will greatly reduce the risk of collisions and ensure residents, tourists and businesses can travel safely and efficiently through the region for years to come."

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"These two investments will make the commute safer and more efficient for the thousands of people living in the Western Communities. We need to build transportation solutions for right now, as well into the future. That's why across this province, we are investing in new infrastructure where it is needed, upgrading transit corridors and developing transportation networks to help improve the lives of people who live and work in B.C."  

The Honourable John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia

"We've been listening to the concerns of the growing communities of the West Shore that have been asking for improvements to make Highways 1 and 14 safer. Our government's investments in highways, as well as transit and cycling infrastructure, will meet the diverse needs of people traveling on southern Vancouver Island."  

The Honourable Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

Quick facts

• Budget 2019, Investing in the Middle Class, is the federal government's plan to create more well-paying jobs, put home ownership within reach for more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
• With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 includes a one-time top-up of $2.2 billion to the federal Gas Tax Fund to help address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.
• Budget 2019 builds on the Investing in Canada Plan, under which the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in community infrastructure across the country. 
• More than $10.1 billion of this funding is supporting trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• For the Highway 14 Corridor Improvement project in Sooke, the Government of Canada is contributing up to $30,233,000 to this project through the New Building Canada Fund, while the Government of British Columbia is providing up to $55,482,000.
• For the Highway 1 Four-Laning project between Leigh Rd. and the Westshore Parkway, the Government of Canada is providing up to $4,750,000 through the New Building Canada Fund, while the Government of British Columbia is providing up to $9,250,000.

Associated links

Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map

Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/bc-eng.html

Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

Budget 2019: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/home-accueil-en.html

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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada