The governments of Canada and British Columbia have announced funding for a project to improve the Highway 17 corridor and create a new overpass at Keating Cross Road in Central Saanich.
“These improvements to Highway 17 will greatly alleviate the chronic congestion issues people experience daily on this busy regional transportation route. Creating more vehicle capacity and smoother traffic flow will allow people to spend less time on the road and more time at their destinations,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
The project involves a new flyover overpass from the Patricia Bay Highway (Highway 17) northbound to Keating Cross Road westbound, eliminating the left turn across highway traffic onto Keating Cross Road. The project will also include a realigned southbound on-ramp to Victoria.
These upgrades will allow vehicles to travel this busy corridor more safely and efficiently, helping keep local businesses competitive and promote regional economic growth.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $16 million in this project through the New Building Canada Fund, Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component—National and Regional Projects, while the District of Central Saanich is contributing $2.5 million. The provincial government’s contribution for the project is pending Treasury Board approval.