Friday, September 20, 2024 – The District of Sooke is pleased to announce the partial reopening of Charters Road for vehicle traffic from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, starting Tuesday, September 24 (excluding Monday, September 30, and Monday, October 14). This reopening follows the successful completion of paving earlier this week—six weeks ahead of schedule—thanks to the dedicated efforts of Hazelwood Construction and the cooperation of neighbouring properties.
Please note that while paving is complete, the Charters Road Streetscape Project is not complete. The safety of the public and crews remains a top priority, and the construction site will remain secured as key project milestones are still underway. However, recognizing the impact this closure has had on our community, traffic control measures will allow vehicle (and cyclist) access during peak afternoon and early evening hours.
Please note that 3-5 additional full-day closures are anticipated to complete outstanding milestones during the coming weeks. The District will provide as much advance notice as possible for these closures once they are known.
While this partial reopening and the Charters Road improvements will help, we understand that they will not fully resolve the ongoing traffic challenges in our community. The effects of this closure have highlighted the need for broader solutions involving multiple levels of government. We appreciate the continued patience of residents and commuters as we work together to enhance infrastructure and support multi-modal transportation in Sooke.
“We are grateful for the project crews’ commitment and flexibility in balancing the outstanding milestones while prioritizing the needs of the community,” says Raechel Gray, Chief Administrative Officer.
Once remaining tasks, including line painting, hydro pole relocation, sidewalk installation, railing installation and site inspections are complete, the road will fully reopen to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
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Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers):
Q: Why is the road only open part of the day?
A: The road is open between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, to help ease traffic during peak hours while still allowing the construction team to continue working on the remaining tasks. Public safety remains a priority, so access will be restricted outside of these hours.
Q: Will there be additional closures?
A: Yes, an estimated 3-5 additional full-day closures will be needed to complete remaining project milestones. We will provide as much advance notice as possible for these closures. However, please note that some work is weather permitting so changes may occur on short notice.
Q: Will pedestrians and cyclists have access during the partial reopening?
A: During the partial reopening, the road is open to vehicle and bicycle traffic only from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. At this time, pedestrian access remains restricted until sidewalk handrail installation is complete. However, this will be evaluated as we monitor this change.
Q: What is still left to complete? When will Charters Road fully reopen?
A: The road will fully reopen to vehicle and pedestrian traffic once all remaining critical tasks are complete. Some of these tasks include line painting, hydro pole relocation, sidewalk installation, and safety railing installation. The goal for a full road remains as it always has been, end of October, with a November 1st reopening. Should anything change, we will keep you informed.
Q: How does this reopening affect traffic in Sooke? How long until the traffic situation “really” improves?
A: While we hope the partial reopening should provide some relief to traffic congestion, the community will still experience delays. Sooke, traditionally a bedroom community, is experiencing significant growth and change, and with that comes traffic challenges. In the long term, solutions such as alternative routes, improved transit services, multi-modal transportation options, and increased local employment opportunities are being developed, but these will take time to fully implement.
In the short term, everyone can play a part in easing congestion. Carpooling, using public transit, cycling, or walking when possible are great ways to help reduce the strain on our roadways. The community’s patience and adaptability are appreciated as we continue to work toward long-term solutions, with support from various levels of government and the public. Let’s all do our best to embrace the current reality and contribute to easing traffic where we can.
Q: How can I stay informed about updates to this project and other traffic-related news in Sooke?
A: To stay informed, you can refer to the District’s news feed on our website at sooke.ca/news and traffic advisories page at sooke.ca/traffic-advisories, subscribe to the District of Sooke’s email newsletter, and follow the District on X. You can also subscribe to Drive BC updates by route (Highway 14) through the provincial Traveller Information System: Subscribe to DriveBC Event Notification by Email.
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