The City of Victoria has completed another bike lane project and it’s the biggest one in the city’s history.
Now completed are the Fort Street protected bike lanes that stretch from Cook Street to Foul Bay Road. These new lanes extend 2.7 kilometres, making them the longest continuous protected bike lane project ever built by the city.
The project features infrastructure renewal and road safety upgrades for all users including road paving, new and upgraded crosswalks, sidewalk upgrades, new trees, new traffic signals, a 40 km/h speed limit, green stormwater management features and more. The $9.4-million project, with $3.6 million of federal funds, was completed ahead of schedule, the city said in a news release.
“The completion of safety and active travel upgrades for Fort Street will have a positive impact on individuals of all ages and abilities,” said Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, in a statement. “It serves as an example of the federal government’s commitment to investing in accessible active transportation options to connect communities, support healthier lifestyles, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative will offer residents, commuters, and visitors a variety of active transportation choices, enhancing safety, affordability, and convenience.”
“Sometimes, a busy road like Fort can make us feel separated from our neighbours or businesses, but these protected bike lanes and new crosswalks connect people and improve their sense of community,” said Mayor Marianne Alto, in a statement. “This route not only serves people working and living on Fort Street, but also commuters from neighbouring municipalities.”
The city said that 13 per cent of all 2022 resident trips were completed on a bicycle, compared to nine per cent in 2017.
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