Drivers on Highway 17 can look forward to improved commutes starting Monday, July 28, with the opening of the new northbound flyover on Patricia Bay Highway connecting to Keating Cross Road.
On Friday, July 25, MLA for Saanich South, Lana Popham, alongside Tsawout Chief Abraham Pelkey and Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor, officially announced the opening of the flyover designed to alleviate congestion and enhance safety.
The $76.8 million Highway 17/Keating Cross overpass project represents a significant investment in the region's transportation network, funded through a collaborative effort between multiple levels of government.
The province of British Columbia contributed $57.6 million, while the Government of Canada, through its provincial-territorial infrastructure component – national and regional projects, provided $16.7 million.
The District of Central Saanich also contributed $2.5 million to the project.
Mayor Windsor highlighted the decades-long journey to realize this crucial infrastructure improvement.
“It was first talked about four years before I was even born back in 1975,” he stated. “I'm 45-years-old, so that gives you some sense of just how long it's taken for us to get here – and here we are.”
While initially announced in 2019, the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing back the original 2022 start date.
Construction eventually commenced in July 2023, with an initial target for completion set for the fall of 2025.
Earlier this year, in February, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MoTT) announced the accelerated timeline, projecting the flyover's opening for the summer.
MLA Popham confirmed this commitment, stating, “It is summer and we’ll be open for business on Monday. We've all been watching this project progress. There’s still a bit of work that’s going to be done over the next few months and I think we’re going to see it at full completion by September.”
Popham also lauded the MoTT for completing the project on budget.
In an official statement, MoTT Minister Mike Farnworth stressed the importance of drivers being able to count on safe and smooth travel when they’re heading to their homes, work, the airport, or ferries.
The minister emphasized that the opening of the Keating Cross Road flyover eliminates a previously hazardous left turn, making travel safer for families, commuters, tourists and commercial transport drivers who depend on this corridor daily.
Work continues through Fall
Final work on the broader project will continue through the summer of 2025, including paving the southbound on-ramp toward Victoria, drainage improvements and landscaping.
Upon its full completion in the fall of 2025, the project will also feature a new sidewalk on Keating Cross Road, designed to enhance pedestrian safety and support future bus rapid transit initiatives aimed at further reducing congestion.
Pat Bay Highway carries a high volume of traffic in this area, with over 52,000 vehicles using the route daily and peak travel times seeing more than 4,000 vehicles per hour.
The flyover project was identified as a priority within the South Island Transportation Strategy, underscoring the Province's commitment to improving safety, expanding transit infrastructure, and fostering strong, connected communities.
Traffic advisory for the opening
The traffic changeover to the new flyover will occur overnight, starting midnight on Sunday, July 27.
All northbound drivers on Highway 17 intending to reach Keating Cross Road must use the right travel lane and take Exit 18 onto the newly constructed flyover.
The previous left-turn lane and turning bay used to access Keating Cross Road will be permanently closed.
Darren England, MoTT regional manager for project delivery in the south coast, assured motorists that clear guidance will be provided during the transition.
“There will be changeable message signs on approach informing them of what to do, and that'll be directing them if they're choosing to go to Keating Cross Road, to be able to exit the highway on the right-hand side,” he explained.
While the flyover opens on Monday, an active construction zone will remain in place for the next few months as fine grading and paving of Highway 17 are completed.
These ongoing works may necessitate temporary closures.
Access from Tamany Drive to Keating Cross Road will be closed, with local traffic directed to use Buena Vista Road as an alternative route.
Motorists are advised to pay close attention to new signage and construction activity, exercise caution while driving, and allow for extra travel time.
For the latest road conditions and traffic updates, please visit https://www.drivebc.ca/.ca.
