NEWS RELEASE COMMUNIQUÉ

 

 

For Immediate Release 2009TRAN0029-000688 November 27, 2009

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Government of Canada

 

WORK STARTS ON MCTAVISH INTERCHANGE/TRANSIT HUB

 

VICTORIA – Provincial, federal and airport officials signalled the start of construction today as they officially broke ground for the McTavish Road interchange, a project designed to improve the safety and flow of traffic at McTavish Road and Highway 17 near Victoria International Airport.

 

The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State for Sport and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, along with the Honourable Murray Coell, Minister of Labour and MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, were joined by the Victoria Airport Authority’s president and CEO Richard Paquette and members of the local community task force to kick-off the beginning of construction.

 

“I’m pleased to see construction begin on this important stimulus project made possible by Canada’s Economic Action Plan,” said Lunn. “This project will provide a major upgrade to a key intersection in the area. McTavish Road is a vital access point for both airport and ferry travellers, as well as local residents.”

 

“The regional and provincial significance of this project cannot be understated as Highway 17 is a gateway to the Capital Region and all of Vancouver Island via BC Ferries at Swartz Bay and the Victoria International Airport,” said Coell. “At a time when every job counts, the ripple effect of this $24-million investment is expected to generate more than 150 direct and indirect jobs.”

 

“Highway 17 is a critical linkage to both the Victoria Airport and BC Ferries,” said Paquette. “The improvements to McTavish will be a significant step forward for both passengers and freight accessing our key transportation hubs.”

 

The Government of Canada invested $10.5 million to this project through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The Province of British Columbia invested $10.5 million. The Victoria Airport Authority invested $3 million.

 

The project will improve transit service opportunities for the Peninsula, by including access for future rapid transit, as well as expanding the park-and-ride facility for a total of 200 parking spaces. These improvements will support future transit expansion and increase transit ridership.

 

 

 

From November 30, 2009 until March 2011, when the intersection is scheduled to be complete, McTavish Road will be closed between Highway 17 and Lochside Drive.

 

Canora Road will be closed between McTavish Road and Rideau Avenue from January 26, 2010 until March 2011.

 

Access for emergency vehicles and access to the airport will not be affected. Up-to-date travel information will be available at www.drivebc.ca.

 

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To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

 

A backgrounder follows.

 

Contact:

Jeff Knight Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure 250 356-7707

Office of the Honourable Gary Lunn Minister of State (Sport) 819 934-1122 Infrastructure Canada 613 948-1148

 

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.

 

 

BACKGROUNDER

 

November 27, 2009

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Government of Canada

 

IMPROVEMENTS TO HIGHWAY 17 AND MCTAVISH INTERCHANGE

 

This $24-million upgrade will replace the current signalized intersection at Highway 17 and McTavish Road. The intersection is scheduled to be complete and ready for motorists in spring 2011.

 

Features of the new interchange:

 

• Roundabouts will improve safety and travel time for various modes of transportation including transit, cycling and walking to Victoria International Airport and ferry terminals, and local traffic travelling within the community or to adjacent municipalities.

 

• Improved opportunities for expanded transit service, including access for rapid transit, and an expansion of the current park-and-ride facility (for a total of 200 parking spaces).

 

• Access for cyclists and pedestrians with pathways and a separate crossing.

 

• Better air quality due to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and more efficient energy use due to less idling / stop-and-go traffic and increased use of transit.

 

• Reduced noise caused by stop-and-go traffic.

 

• Preliminary construction activities include placing “preload” material to compress soft soils. Local hired equipment will begin work on Nov. 30, 2009. The tender and award of contracts for constructing the major interchange elements will follow in early 2010.

 

For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.

 

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

 

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Contact:

Jeff Knight Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure 250 356-7707

Office of the Honourable Gary Lunn Minister of State (Sport) 819 934-1122 Infrastructure Canada 613 948-1148

 

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.