Paving is underway this week on Charters Road in Sooke, and the road project is on schedule to be wrapped up by the end of October or even sooner, the district says.
Charters Road was closed from Golledge Avenue to Throup Road in May for an upgrade, which included replacing a culvert, repairing the deteriorating street surface and doing underground work on the storm-water system and other services.
But ongoing work on the road, which crosses Highway 14 near the SEAPARC Recreation Centre, has contributed to chronic congestion issues in the area.
A petition created in June calling for action on “traffic gridlock” in Sooke and congestion between Sooke and Langford has collected more than 3,000 names.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait has said there was a limited time window for work on the culvert and retaining wall to provide maximum protection to nearby Charters Creek.
The district said it is prepared to bring in measures such as enhanced traffic control to allow a partial reopening of the road, as long as it doesn’t affect the work underway.
“We’re pleased that a project of this complexity remains on schedule,” said Jeff Stevens, project manager with Hazelwood Construction. “We will continue to co-ordinate with the district to provide updated communications after paving is complete and more definitive options for reopening are available.”
Meanwhile, Tait, council members and chief administrative officer Raechel Gray are at the Union of B.C. Municipalities this week, where they are advocating for increased transit in Sooke, support for the next phase of Highway 14 upgrades, and funding to improve local road networks.
Council has also talked to the province about measures such as bridge expansions and improved access points at schools.
The district has contracted a traffic engineer and an engineering firm to address public concerns about congestion.
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