With road works underway and students returning to school on September 3, the District of Central Saanich is reminding all road users to be prepared for busier roads and be vigilant of children getting to and from school.
The fall season also includes Go By Bike Week, Halloween, daylight savings, and darker, wetter travelling conditions, making it important to slow down and be mindful of other road users’ safety. The change of season coincides with ongoing construction of the Keating flyover, the Brentwood Bay sewer replacement and other projects. Construction crews are working hard to complete road work.
“Ultimately, the road works when complete will help make our roads safer, and we are working as quickly as possible to minimize the impact on residents, including students,” said Dale Puskas, Director of Engineering. “In the short term, we are asking everyone to use extra caution as they navigate construction zones.”
School zone speed limits are in effect starting Tuesday, September 3. Drivers are also reminded that when school bus lights are flashing, vehicles approaching from both directions must stop.
Roads with school zones in the District include:
- ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ Tribal School: West Saanich Rd
- Keating Elementary School: Central Saanich Rd and Saanich Cross Rd
- Brentwood Elementary School: Wallace Dr
- Bayside Middle School: Wallace Dr and Newton Pl
- Stelly’s Secondary School: Stelly’s Cross Rd
“On Vancouver Island, two children walking or cycling are killed and 47 are injured in crashes every year,” said Central Saanich Police Chief Ian Lawson. “We want to make sure everyone gets to their destination safely. We ask all commuters to slow down, put your phone away, and be alert.”
The District has made a number of road safety improvements throughout Central Saanich, such as adding crosswalks with flashing lights and sidewalks in school zones.
Central Saanich Police will be a daily presence, in and near school zones, to monitor and enforce traffic rules. Traffic in school zones is limited to 30 km/h from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days. Fines for speeding start at $196, while fines for using an electronic device start at $368.
Temporary road impacts include:
- Buena Vista Road. Access to Keating Cross Rd is temporarily closed to vehicle traffic. Access remains open for walking, riding and rolling from Buena Vista Rd, along Keating Cross Rd, to Central Saanich Rd.
- Wallace Drive. The south-bound lane on Wallace Dr is temporarily closed from Stelly’s Cross Rd to West Saanich Rd, with a detour route along Stelly’s Cross Rd to West Saanich Rd. The bus stop on Wallace Dr (#101969) is temporarily closed and the #75 bus is re-routed along Stelly’s Cross Rd. Please check BCTransit.com for stops and schedule. The pathway is open along Wallace Dr (from Brentwood to Stelly's Secondary School), and Willow Way Trail is open with crossing signage.