Click here to report a road safety issue within the District of Central Saanich
Central Saanich’s road network includes 136 kilometres of paved roads and two kilometres of unpaved roads, along with 470 streetlights and 80 traffic islands. Central Saanich is a beautiful place for active transportation. We are committed to improving walking, biking and other active modes of transportation so it is easy to stay healthy, enjoy our scenic community and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. When we plan roadwork, we consider all road users and explore opportunities to improve infrastructure for those who walk, cycle, and drive.
When driving, please help keep our bicyclists safe
• Please be aware of bicyclists and give them space
• Watch for road signs, such as Share the Road signs (where the bike lane ends for a period)
• Shoulder check before making a turn
• Do not park in a bike lane (the diamond symbols means it’s a reserved lane)
Although we check our roads continually and perform an annual survey, we appreciate your assistance in identifying potential problems. You can report a problem to us or download the free Bikemaps app, which we monitor to report bike-related incidents and safety concerns.
We use a street sweeper to clean curb and gutter roads on a regular basis. Once a year we also treat some specific areas of the non-traveled portion of the roadway to reduce the amount of dust.
If you notice excessive dust from a construction site not cleaned by the contractor/developer within a reasonable period of time, you can file a complaint with bylaw enforcement.
Active transportation is a top priority for our community. Encouraging active transportation through enhanced infrastructure and addressing road safety concerns – both key priorities of Council – will make walking and cycling choice travel options, and help make Central Saanich a healthy, safe, and sustainable community. Learn more: Active Transportation Plan
We cut non-manicured boulevards and ditches on an annual basis during the active growing season using a six- to eight-week cycle. Our equipment is a flail mower that will provide rough cutting only. Manicured treatment cannot be accomplished. This ensures adequate drainage flow, reduces fire hazards and improves vehicle sight lines. We also perform minor annual maintenance on traffic islands in accordance with our budgetary restraints. However, we will respond to those areas identified as a liability because of visibility problems, etc. as soon as possible.
We also clean the ditches that require cleaning once a year before the start of the rainy season, and specific requests are addressed dependent upon the severity of the problem.
Trees on the municipal right of way will be trimmed if:
- the tree is an obstruction to vehicle or pedestrian traffic
- the tree is a danger to property such as houses and vehicles
- the tree is in need of maintenance to ensure continued health of tree
Trees on the municipal right of way will be removed if:
- the tree affects traffic safety
- the tree affects underground services
- the tree is diseased or damaged and is a public hazard
- the tree obstructs ditches or drains and is less than 20 centimetres in diameter
Larger diameter trees or heritage/protected trees require an evaluation by a certified arborist and approval by Council before any action can be taken. If you have a question or concern about a tree on a boulevard, contact Central Saanich Public Works at 250-544-4224.
The Official Community Plan does not generally support the enclosure of ditches so that water tables may be replenished through open ditches. If the ditch on your boulevard is of particular concern because of standing water, please contact our engineering department. Ditches may be enclosed in certain cases, but may need to be done so at the homeowner’s expense and in accordance with municipal specifications.
If the situation is such that vehicles are traveling at excessive speeds, or parking where they shouldn’t, please refer these complaints to the Police Department non-emergency line at 250-652-4441.
If the situation is such that safety is compromised due to road conditions, unusual traffic patterns, reduced sight visibility by trees, signs, or other obstructions, please refer these complaints to the Engineering Department at the Municipal Hall.
We repair our streets and sidewalks on an ongoing basis based on priorities set by the Pavement Management Plan and budgetary restrictions. If you would like the current status, please contact our engineering department.
Chipsealing has proven to be the most cost-effective in the long-term maintenance plan. The chipseal program is completed during the latter part of June and the early part of July. Every effort is made not to be disruptive as much as possible. Driving at slow speeds will reduce the dust and the hazards from flying rocks.