Colwood is committed to involving residents in increasing the comfort and safety of their neighbourhoods.
In 2021, the City began a program of installing temporary traffic calming pilot projects to test and assess various methods for managing vehicle traffic and increasing the comfort of all users.
In response to neighbourhood concerns, the City implements temporary traffic calming measures for approximately 90 days, then uses feedback and evaluation to clarify concerns, assess the effectiveness of various approaches and determine whether a similar measure should be implemented permanently at that location, or not.
Trialing chicanes on Hatley Drive
Commuters often use Hatley Drive as a short cut from Metchosin Road to Ocean Boulevard.
In response to neighbourhood concerns about the volume and speed of traffic traveling through, the City of Colwood is trialing the temporary use of street planters to create chicanes in an effort to slow vehicle speeds and encourage drivers to choose arterial or collector routes rather than local roads.
What are chicanes?
A chicane is a series of alternating mid-block curb extensions, islands or planters that narrow the roadway and require vehicles to follow a curving path, intended to discourage speeding. Chicanes can also create new areas for landscaping and public space in the roadway.
Next steps
As with previous traffic calming pilot projects, feedback is encouraged. After the trial period a report will be presented to Colwood Council to determine next steps.
Please use the Colwood Action Request form to share your feedback about these changes as we work to improve neighbourhood safety and comfort: www.colwood.ca/ActionRequest