VICTORIA, BC – The City of Victoria will break ground September 25 on Fort Street, the second of five all ages and abilities (AAA) bicycle lanes that will be installed before the end of 2018.
The City has awarded the construction contract to Brunnell Construction, a Vancouver Island-based company. The successful and accepted bid for the scope of their work is $2,825,684. Brunnell is the same company that built the Pandora Avenue protected bike lane. Their familiarity with Victoria’s urban environment, combined with their extensive experience with these types of projects, will be beneficial for the project.
The new two-way protected bike lane will be built on the north side of Fort Street from Wharf Street to Cook Street. As a part of the work, the City of Victoria will be enhancing crosswalks and sidewalks, adding new street trees and benches, introducing accessibility enhancements and undertaking important underground utility upgrades. The new bike network will increase safety for cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit riders and will connect the downtown core to neighbourhoods and regional trails.
This type of infrastructure provides a significant safety improvement from the more traditional, painted bike lanes. Victoria is one of many North American cities that is implementing AAA infrastructure to meet current and future demand for a safer, comfortable and connected cycling network. The design for Fort includes a physically-protected two-way bicycle lane with dedicated traffic signals. The design maintains standard right hand turns and typical left hand turn signals, along with 95 per cent of on-street parking.
The first phase of Fort Street construction will begin with City utility upgrades including water main upgrades, improvements to underground sanitary sewer and storm drains and manhole replacements. Construction of the new protected bike lanes is expected to be completed by May 2018 and there will be limited work in November and December to accommodate the holiday shopping season.
During construction, there will be temporary changes to bus stop locations and on-street parking, as well as reduced travel lanes at certain times. Pedestrians may also be temporarily re-routed during sidewalk replacement activities. The City and Brunnell Construction will be working hard with stakeholders to minimize any inconveniences during construction. Local access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.
For more information visit: www.victoria.ca/cycling
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For More Information:
Rebecca Penz
Engagement Advisor
250.661.0085
rpenz@victoria.ca
