A $4.9-million pedestrian and cycling bridge that will eliminate a dangerous highway crossing for users of the Galloping Goose Trail will go ahead with federal funding, the City of Colwood said Monday.
The city said it received $3.6-million in federal infrastructure funding and will use another $1.4 million in reserve funds to pay the balance of costs for the long-planned bridge, which will cross the Island Highway near Ocean Boulevard.
Galloping Goose cyclists and pedestrians have been forced to detour along Wale Road to the Island Highway, wait to cross at the light, then travel up the sidewalk along the highway to reconnect with the trail.
Often adding to confusion at the crossing is a small section of trail that cuts across from Wale Road to the highway, but ends there, with no safe crossing in sight.
Corey Burger, policy and infrastructure chair for Capital Bike — which advocates for cycling in the capital region — said the Colwood bridge will close a critical gap in the trail and vastly improve safety for cyclists.
“It’s been a priority since the trail was built in the 1990s,” Burger said. “It’s not very safe, and it’s a confusing part of the trail for a lot of people who think it actually ends there … you see people stop and turn around.
“And it’s an intersection that has seen a lot of crashes.”
Colwood Mayor Rob Martin said the bridge is long overdue and will provide a seamless and safe experience for trail users.
“Picture a beautifully designed bridge at the gateway to Colwood with cyclists cruising safely above the traffic on a gorgeous, seamless ride through Colwood and beyond to other areas of the region,” said Martin, adding the bridge will likely significantly boost the number of cyclists on the West Shore, “which will support health and well-being, reduce traffic congestion and help us reach our climate goals.”
Colwood has been studying the idea of a pedestrian and cycling overpass since 2015, and made it part of the city’s Official Community Plan. The city was awaiting funding through the federal government.
“Earning a federal grant of this magnitude requires a tremendous amount of pre-planning and preparation,” said Martin.
Preliminary designs indicate the bridge will be 38 metres long and four metres wide. Two approach spans will be built to connect the bridge to the trail on each side. Railings, retaining walls, fencing, lighting, landscaping, movement of underground utilities and road works will be included as part of the project.
It will be a “thoughtfully designed” gateway to Colwood’s city centre, and there will be collaboration with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations to make the bridge “a meaningful symbol of partnership, inclusion and reconciliation,” according to the city.
The bridge is expected to be completed before 2026, the deadline for projects funded under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
Burger said as areas of the West Shore continue to be built out — including new residential development around Colwood Corners — trail use will steadily rise. “So having that key infrastructure there is so important.”