Monday, November 22, 2021 – Major road work projects in Sooke’s town core are hitting milestones that will cause further short-term traffic disruptions, in particular from November 29th to December 10th. Additionally, traffic disruptions can be expected from November 22nd to 26th as progress is made on the BC Housing development on Drennan Street.
Improvements for pedestrian and vehicle traffic at two critical corridors, and more affordable housing is coming to Sooke. Unfortunately, combined with delays due to last week’s weather event, some timelines are merging, so travel in the town core during this period will be challenging. Added to this, we are in a provincial state of emergency as British Columbia navigates catastrophic flooding and mudslides.
“While Sooke fared relatively well, many other areas around the province did not. My heart goes out to those most impacted. If our community can work together to lessen congestion on roads, those that must commute for work or medical appointments will hopefully have some of the challenges and added stress that the roadwork may bring during this difficult time reduced. If residents can work from home, carpool or use transit, I encourage you to do so,” says Mayor Maja Tait.
Planned Traffic Events
- Traffic control will be in place at Golledge and Drennan from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November 22nd to 26th as work is completed on the BC Housing Project.
- From November 23rd for a 10-day period, JE Electric Ltd will be replacing streetlights throughout Sooke. It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete an install. Crews will keep traffic flowing around the worksites.
- On November 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. single-lane alternating traffic to complete utility work will be in place on Highway 14 from Phillips Road to Drennan.
- Tentatively, on Thursday, November 25th, the traffic signals at Highway 14 and Church will be down for several hours (approx. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) to relocate the traffic control kiosk. There will be no northbound turning onto Church while the signal is down.
- The most significant traffic disruptions on the Church Road project are anticipated for November 29th to December 3rd and December 6th to 10th as all work will be taking place within the travel portions of the roadway.
- On Sunday, December 5th, pending approval from the Ministry of Transportation, the Sooke Lions will host the Santa Parade which will travel down Highway 14 from Charters Road to Townsend Road. A road closure, with detour available, would be in effect from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Suggested Detours
- Avoid turning left off Anna Marie Road onto Highway 14. Instead, turn right to use the roundabout.
- Use Charters-Throup-Church-Wadams Way for access between Highway 14 and Wadams Way.
- Avoid Otter Point Road from Wadams Way to Highway 14 by travelling Grant Road West to Maple Avenue South.
If possible, the district encourages, carpooling, use of transit or working from home if available through your employer. “Anything we, as a community, can do to get the number of vehicles off the road can help make a big impact for those travelling without alternatives with their modes or times of travel,” Tait says. “I know traffic delays are frustrating. I also know how desired these infrastructure improvements are; we are making progress on these community priorities. Please be patient and kind. Safer transportation corridors are just a few weeks away and affordable housing is coming soon, too.”
Related:
Learn more:
- BC’s Response to Floods and Mudslides
- November 5th Update: Church and Otter Point Road Construction Projects
- Traffic Advisory: Church Road (Sooke Road to Wadams Way)
- Traffic Advisory: Otter Point Road (Highway 14 to Wadams Way)
- Planned Traffic Events (Traffic Advisory) Information Page
- Transportation Master Plan Implementation Information Page
Media Contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
250.643.1634, ext. 678
cmoog@sooke.ca
