A Victoria section of Shelbourne Street has reopened after a two-month closure that added to traffic snafus as the busy corridor — which stretches through both Victoria and Saanich — undergoes extensive improvements.
The closure of Shelbourne from Hillside Avenue to north of Bay Street began in early August while work was underway to replace traffic-signal poles and add better lighting.
The city used the opportunity to install protected bike lanes on Shelbourne from Haultain Street to North Dairy Road, add fresh road paint, do sidewalk maintenance, trim trees and service underground utilities.
Concrete curbs will be installed later this year along the bike lanes, which will connect with protected lanes under construction in Saanich, closing a gap in the region’s north-south cycling route.
Ross Kenny, Victoria’s assistant director of transportation, said the two-month closure allowed the city to “accomplish significantly more work in a shorter time while keeping workers safe.”
“We’re very grateful to folks for their patience while we took necessary steps to make the road smoother and safer for everyone, and we ask all road users to continue respecting signs and crews while work continues.”
The reopening of that stretch of Shelbourne coincides with the District of Saanich’s announcement that it’s moving into the third and final phase of its extensive Shelbourne Street Improvements Project.
Saanich said in a statement Tuesday that its work on Phase 3 of its project — between Pear Street and Garnet Road — will overlap with ongoing work on Phase 2, due for completion in December.
Phase 3, which is scheduled to finish in the spring of 2026, will include almost two kilometres of protected bike lanes, 21 new or improved bike and pedestrian crosswalks, almost a kilometre of new or improved sidewalks — including along Pear from Shelbourne to Cedar Hill Road — improved street lighting and new benches, bike racks and bike shelters.
The first phase of the project, completed in July 2022, included improvements on Shelbourne between Torquay Drive and Garnet Road, while the second phase, which began in August 2022, tackled the stretch between Pear and North Dairy.
Current Phase 2 activities include work on underground utilities and upgrades to the bike connector to the University of Victoria along Pear/Poplar Avenue from Shelbourne to Richmond Road, and across Cedar Hill Cross Road.
Also planned through December is work on a new multi-use path on Derby Road west of Shelbourne, a new sidewalk on McRae west of Shelbourne and new traffic signals at six intersections.
Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said the Shelbourne Street project has been “a very significant undertaking” that predates his time as mayor.
While it’s primarily focused on replacement of infrastructure underground, he said, it’s allowed the district to work on protected bike lanes and sidewalks that provide “a much nicer environment for people to be able to walk and ride on Shelbourne Street.”
Murdock acknowledged the traffic snafus the work has caused for those who use Shelbourne to commute or who live or do business in and around the construction area.
“We regret the impact that it’s had and appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through it, recognizing that as we get closer to completion it’s going to be a vastly improved experience for everyone who uses that corridor.”
Efforts have been made as the work progresses to ensure customers can get in and out of affected businesses, Murdock said.
“We’re hopeful that folks are going to see a big improvement to that access and the quality of that environment when the work is completed.
“We look forward to getting things back to full service and function soon.”
