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Pat Bay Highway (Highway 17) discussion


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#381 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 23 February 2023 - 04:39 AM

Construction to start this spring on $77-million Keating overpass

 

The new overpass at Highway 17 and Keating Cross Road is expected to be in use in two years.
 
 
 
 
 
In 2021, the last year for which statistics were available, the intersection of Keating Cross Road and the Pat Bay Highway saw 10 crashes.
 

There were 49 crashes between 2017 and 2021, ranking it fourth for intersection collisions on the Saanich Peninsula, behind Sidney’s Beacon Avenue and the Pat Bay, which saw 152 crashes over the five-year span, Mount Newton Cross Road and the Pat Bay, which had 134, and Island View Road and the Pat Bay, which saw 95 over the same period.


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 February 2023 - 04:39 AM.

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#382 Mike K.

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Posted 17 April 2023 - 09:05 AM



A $77 million overpass on Highway 17 at Keating Cross Road in Central Saanich will be starting soon, says the province. More:

Work will soon start on the Highway 17 Keating Cross Overpass project, which will make travel safer, faster and more reliable for people travelling through the busy Vancouver Island corridor.

“Our government is proud to celebrate this milestone, which will positively impact both communities and the local economy,” said Harjit Sajjan, federal Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “Once complete, the overpass project will help local businesses stay competitive while improving safety and efficiency for Highway 17 users. We will continue to invest in projects that strengthen our economy and connect Canadians to essential goods and services.”

The project will replace the northbound left turn onto Keating Cross Road with an overpass, eliminating the possibility of a collision between vehicles travelling in opposite directions. Given the high volumes of commercial traffic destined for the Keating business park, this is a significant safety improvement and will improve the flow of goods movement along the corridor.

Other features of the project include:

widening Keating Cross Road;
installing a new sidewalk on Keating Cross Road to boost safety for cyclists and pedestrians;
widening Highway 17 to provide sufficient width for future bus-on-shoulder facilities that support plans for long-term bus rapid transit on the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17);
realigning the southbound on-ramp to Victoria; and
closing Highway 17 access at East Saanich Road and Martindale Road.
“This overpass will provide a critical connection between Highway 17 and Keating Cross Road, improving safety and accessibility for commuters, travellers and businesses in this growing region,” said Rob Fleming, B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “The new overpass will eliminate the need for a dangerous turn across oncoming highway traffic, support future bus rapid transit and promote economic growth in and around the Keating business district, one of the region’s most important and fastest-growing job centres.”

A $54.5-million contract for the project has been awarded to FlatIron Constructors Canada Limited. Construction of the overpass is expected to begin in the coming weeks and is anticipated to be complete in spring 2025.

“We look forward to the start of construction and to working with the Province on ensuring minimal disruption to the residents of the peninsula while this important project is underway,” said Ryan Windsor, mayor, Central Saanich. “The district and council also appreciate efforts to keep the municipal portion to the agreed-upon amount of $2.5 million, and we will eagerly anticipate the safety improvements this will bring to the Keating area and all of Central Saanich.”

The Highway 17 Keating Cross overpass is a priority identified in the South Island Transportation Strategy, which is expanding and accelerating transit infrastructure needed to improve safety, strengthen communities and provide sustainable travel solutions.

The project budget is $76.8 million, including a provincial contribution of $57.6 million. The Government of Canada will contribute $16.7 million through the New Building Canada Fund. Other partners in the project include the District of Central Saanich, which is providing $2.5 million.

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#383 GaryOak

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Posted 17 April 2023 - 09:09 AM

Once again they should have added a pedestrian and cyclist path on the north side of the flyover.

#384 Nparker

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Posted 17 April 2023 - 09:15 AM

I moved to Central Saanich almost 45 years ago and there was talk of building a Keating flyover then. Things really do happen at lightning speed in our region.


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#385 max.bravo

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Posted 17 April 2023 - 10:26 PM

Commercial traffic moving between keating industrial park and the ferry still has to drive thru Keating elementary and a residential neighborhood to enter/exit the highway via island view road.

My kids went to keating elementary and it’s a nonstop parade of semi trucks among the crosswalk kids during pickup and drop off. No bueno.

They should’ve done it right and made this flyover work for both NB and SB traffic.

Edited by max.bravo, 17 April 2023 - 10:27 PM.


#386 Mike K.

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 06:12 AM

Yes, that’s why the kept the Island view intersection open, I guess. Maybe there will be a phase two?

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#387 GaryOak

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 07:18 AM

Here you can find the original crossing studies for the highway 17 corridor. The Keating crossing designs are found starting at page 31. You can also find the plans for the bus on shoulder designs on here. https://www2.gov.bc....nning_study.pdf

#388 Mike K.

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 07:27 AM

Any provisions for NB traffic in there, Gary?

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#389 GaryOak

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 07:37 AM

Not with the flyover their planning to build

#390 Mike K.

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 07:40 AM

Yeah. It is bonkers, right? I guess the longer term plan might be to move the school to a different site, off the main drag.

Max, maybe that’s the solution? Is it an older school?

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#391 Nparker

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 07:57 AM

Keating Elementary has been in its current location since at least the late 1970s, probably longer.

keating.png



#392 Mike K.

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 08:13 AM

Ok, so it might actually fall under provincial modernization standards that would move it further out from major roads. We used to build schools on major roads, now we don’t. You’ll notice they’re all tucked away.

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#393 Nparker

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 09:08 AM

When Keating Elementary was built, I don't think Central Saanich Road was likely considered a "major" road. East Saanich and West Saanich roads have always been the busier thoroughfares in the municipality, the latter of course, is also Highway 17A. The Keating Industrial Park didn't really get going until around 1980 (I was a student at nearby Mt. Newton Middle School at the time). Most of the "heavy" traffic in the area back then would have been heading to/from the Butler Brothers gravel pit and of course, tourists destined for Butchart Gardens.



#394 AllseeingEye

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Posted 18 April 2023 - 11:09 AM

I moved to Central Saanich almost 45 years ago and there was talk of building a Keating flyover then. Things really do happen at lightning speed in our region.

 

Yup, my cousin and I lived on Martindale Rd from 1990-2 and there was all sorts of scuttlebutt about a full on cloverleaf, an off-on ramp (I don't think the term "flyover" had been invented yet, lol) and even a pedestrian overpass at Keating Rd, none of which came to pass naturally which was zero surprise. 



#395 FogPub

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Posted 20 April 2023 - 12:08 AM

Yes, that’s why the kept the Island view intersection open, I guess. Maybe there will be a phase two?

They kinda have to keep that intersection open anyway, as the road going east is a dead end.  That's where a full interchange should go, and cut off the Keating access completely, but that school does get in the way.

 

Glad to see they'll finally be getting rid of that stupid left turn from the highway on to East Saanich.  Should have been blocked off decades ago.


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#396 AllseeingEye

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Posted 24 April 2023 - 04:44 PM

Some interesting 3D renderings posted on YouTube of what the new Keating flyover will look like driving north and southbound including the revamped merge from Keating onto the PBH, in addition to a cool 'helicopter mode' flyover south to north turning around and heading back over the development going south. 

 

https://www.victoria...medium=facebook


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#397 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 30 May 2023 - 10:26 PM

Construction on the Keating Cross Road flyover overpass is finally getting underway and the province is warning motorists of changes to traffic patterns.

 

Drivers are being advised changes will be in effect on the Pat Bay Highway near Keating Cross Road starting June 1 as crews prepare for construction.

 

Access to Martindale Road from Highway 17 will permanently close as of June 8, with access available from Gliddon Road.

 

https://www.vicnews....entral-saanich/

 

 

 

 

screenshot-www.vicnews.com-2023.05.31-02_26_47.png


Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 May 2023 - 10:27 PM.

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#398 Mike K.

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Posted 04 July 2023 - 12:26 PM

From the province:

 

The Highway 17/Keating Cross Road Flyover Project is underway, marking a major milestone in safety improvements coming for commuters on the south Island.

The new overpass will eliminate the left turn across traffic, making the highway safer for everyone who uses it, and improving access for businesses and communities in the Keating area.

“We know this is one of the region’s most important connections, linking islanders to ferries, flights, future rapid bus service and major employment centres along the Saanich Peninsula,” said Rob Fleming, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Those driving through the area need a route they can count on. This overpass will eliminate the possibility of a collision between vehicles travelling in opposite directions, making travel easier and safer for everyone while significantly improving the flow of goods and people.”

The Pat Bay Highway (Highway 17) is an important corridor for trade and travel, connecting people to the ferries, the Victoria International Airport, Saanich and Sidney. Approximately 52,000 cars drive through the area daily. At peak times, more than 4,000 cars per hour drive through this region.

“The Government of Canada remains committed to improving commutes for Canadians and today’s start of construction is an embodiment of this commitment,” said Harjit Sajjan, federal Minister of International Development, and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “The overpass project will improve safety and efficiency for drivers, pedestrians and transit users, while supporting public transit expansion. We will continue to invest in projects that better connect communities and provide opportunities for future growth.”

The project design will accommodate plans for rapid bus transit on the Pat Bay Highway, getting people where they need to go more conveniently, while reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Pedestrians, cyclists and those who travel with the help of mobility aids will also benefit from a new sidewalk on Keating Cross Road.

The project budget is $76.8 million, including the provincial contribution of $57.6 million. The Government of Canada is contributing $16.7 million and the District of Central Saanich will provide $2.5 million.

The construction contract was awarded to Flatiron Contractors Canada Limited, with a targeted completion of spring 2025.

The Highway 17 Keating Cross overpass was a priority identified in the South Island Transportation Strategy, with a goal to expand and accelerate transit infrastructure needed to improve safety, strengthen communities and provide sustainable travel solutions.

The project will also involve realigning the southbound on-ramp to Victoria and closing Highway 17 access at East Saanich Road and Martindale Road to support safety.

Learn More:

Learn about the Highway 17 Keating Cross Overpass Project: https://gov.bc.ca/keatingoverpass

Learn about the South Island Transportation Strategy: https://gov.bc.ca/so...rtationstrategy


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#399 Mike K.

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Posted 29 August 2023 - 11:24 AM

Province:

People travelling along Highway 17 near Keating Cross Road on south Vancouver Island are encouraged to plan ahead for high traffic volumes as school resumes on Sept. 5, 2023.

With the Highway 17 Keating Crossroad Overpass project well underway, traffic congestion is expected along the detour near the Keating Elementary School during child dropoff and pickup periods. To ensure a smoother journey, commuters who have the flexibility to do so should consider leaving earlier in the morning or later in the evening when traffic is anticipated to lighten. People dropping off or picking up children should plan their journeys with extra time to account for delays.

Traffic-control personnel, additional signage and an increased police presence will be in the area to remind people to drive with caution while travelling through school zones. The ministry and the District of Central Saanich will monitor traffic and take appropriate measures to further control congestion and improve safety where needed.

Construction for the project launched in July 2023, with work on utility relocations and Highway 17 improvements being the primary focus during the summer months. Pile-driving activities for the overpass structure are anticipated to start in September and run through November.

Night work is expected to be in place for extended periods during the first year of construction and will enable the contractor to work without causing daytime disruptions to traffic on Highway 17. The ministry acknowledges this work can come with additional noise and light that residents are not accustomed to, and patience is appreciated during this period.

The new overpass will eliminate the left turn across busy highway traffic, making the highway safer for everyone who uses it and will improve access for businesses and communities in the Keating area. The project also involves realigning the southbound on-ramp to Victoria and closing Highway 17 access at East Saanich Road and Martindale Road for safety.

For the duration of the project, the ministry asks people to take extra care while travelling in the area and reminds drivers to obey all safety signage

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#400 Victoria Watcher

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Posted 28 December 2023 - 06:25 AM

https://www.timescol...g-along-8033215

 

screenshot-www.timescolonist.com-2023.12.28-09_25_00.png


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