Colwood's 2015 Transportation Master Plan projected the need for upgrade of the intersection at Veterans Memorial Parkway and Cairndale Road as our community grows and traffic volumes increase. Traffic data indicates that time has arrived and plans are now being advanced to undertake this work in 2025.
Traffic light or roundabout?
Options for both a signalized intersection and a roundabout have been explored for this location, considering factors such as vehicle volume, traffic safety, pedestrian and cycling use, the amount of land required and available, elevation changes, sight lines, entry angles, and capital costs.
A roundabout would require the City to acquire a significant amount of land to accommodate the minimum footprint. In addition, retaining walls would be required to manage the elevation change from the east and west sides of Cairndale Road. Sight lines would be limited for vehicles entering a roundabout from Cairndale Road, and the entry angles would require alignment changes.
A signalized intersection presents fewer technical hurdles and is typically more accommodating for pedestrians and cyclists compared to roundabouts, providing a better overall experience for all users.
Informed by these technical considerations, a signalized intersection is being designed for this location. An early DRAFT schematic design for a traffic signal is provided here for information.
The transportation master plan update is getting underway
Colwood’s population increased by nearly 20% between 2011 and 2021 and a number of transportation improvements have been made to accommodate this growth. Examples include intersection upgrades at Metchosin and Latoria Boulevard, the roundabout at Veterans and Latoria, sidewalks on Latoria Boulevard, Metchosin Road, Painter Road, Benhomer Drive, and Owens Road, with more in progress on Hagel Road, Lagoon Road and Kelly Road, as well as significant expansion of the City's trail networks. We also look forward to significant forthcoming investments confirmed for the crossing of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail over the Island Highway and the planned new Waterfront Multi-Use Pathway.
The City has also developed a Traffic Model that provides data about the projected transportation impact of planned development, which will inform options and solutions.
Learn more about what the current data tells us about transportation in Colwood, and watch for opportunities to provide input into an updated Transportation Master Plan at LetsTalkColwood.ca/TransportationPlan