October 10, 2023
It's about to get easier to walk and cycle in and around Colwood!
Colwood has awarded the contract for the design and construction of a new Galloping Goose Pedestrian Overpass to Surespan Construction.
The bridge will create a safe and seamless connection of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail over Sooke Road near Ocean Boulevard in Colwood.
The City received a grant of $3.6M from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program for the new pedestrian and cycling overpass. The Surespan contract amount is $5,113,670. The City has been setting budget aside in a reserve fund to cover the remaining project costs.
The bridge rendering shown here will be enhanced as Council has opted for some value added options, including enhanced under lighting, black powder coated fencing on the approach, post-tensioned cable fencing with a natural wood railing, and stamped concrete with a rock pattern. Also it is the City’s goal to work with local Indigenous artists to incorporate Lekwungen artwork into the approach on each side of the bridge.
Upgrades to adjacent intersections
Improvements to the Galloping Goose crossing at the intersection of Wale and Wilfert Roads are also proposed and will be discussed at the October 16 Colwood Active Transportation Committee meeting.
Those improvements include a fully signalized intersection, a diagonal shared crossing for the Galloping Goose trail, bike lane protection, extension of sidewalk along Wilfert Road and safer turning movements for larger vehicles.
Steps to completion
Colwood staff have been working with federal, provincial and regional partners on project scoping, including coordinating plans with the Capital Regional District and overseeing geotechnical investigation for foundation assessment.
Once detailed designs are finalized and a formal project management contract is in place, there may be preliminary underground utility works and road works required. Subsequently, the Surespan proposal estimated a bridge construction timeline of 28 weeks, targeting full project completion in advance of the 2026 funding deadline.
About the Galloping Goose Regional Trail in Colwood
The Galloping Goose Regional Trail is a picturesque multi-use trail that runs through the heart of Colwood as it follows the old railway line on its 55km journey from Victoria to Sooke.
The trail, which is owned and maintained by the Capital Regional District, attracts thousands of users every day. To date in 2023, a total of 228,669 pedestrians and cyclists have passed the automated counter on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail near Wale Road.
The current design of the trail requires users to detour along Wale Road and Island Highway, waiting to cross at the light. Adding to confusion at this crossing is a small section of trail that cuts across from Wale Road to the Highway, but ends there dangerously, with no safe crossing in sight.
The new Colwood gateway bridge will allow for a safe, seamless connection that encourages more residents and visitors to travel in and around Colwood on foot or by bike, supporting the City's goals for improved health and well being as well as climate action.
Media Contact
Sandra Russell, Communications Manager
srussell@colwood.ca
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