With the return to school on September 5, 2023, drivers and people travelling along Highway 17 near Keating Cross Road are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid peak travel times for a safer and more relaxed journey.
Significant traffic congestion is expected along Central Saanich Road and Saanich Crossing Road, near the Keating Elementary School during child drop-off and pick-up periods. To ensure a smoother journey, regular motorists should consider leaving early in the morning or later in the evening when traffic is anticipated to lighten.
Parents dropping off or picking up children should plan their journeys with extra time to account for delays. Drivers are reminded to drive to conditions and observe traffic management personnel and signage in the area.
For up-to-date information about road conditions, please visit www.DriveBC.ca
In preparation of a busy back-to-school season, the District of Central Saanich is launching a road safety campaign aimed at raising awareness and promoting responsible road behaviour on our streets. The campaign, a collaborative effort between the District and Central Saanich Police, will run throughout the fall and will include various initiatives to inform those traveling on Central Saanich’s roads. The key features of the safety campaign will include:
- Digital Awareness Campaign: Road safety tips, seasonal reminders, and informative content will be posted on the District’s social media channels. Central Saanich Police will release videos on their channels promoting safe driving behaviour.
- Law Enforcement Presence: Central Saanich Police will increase its presence near school zones and construction sites to monitor and enforce traffic rules, ensuring the safety of all road users.
- Road Improvement Updates: The District and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will provide updates to changing traffic patterns as a result of construction projects in the community.
- Outreach to Schools: Road safety messages for students and their caregivers will be shared with the school community. Safe routes to Keating Elementary and Brentwood Elementary schools can be found in the Active Transportation Plan.
Students, teachers, parents, and caregivers will be back on the roads in September, coinciding with ongoing construction of the Keating flyover, the Brentwood Bay sewer replacement and other projects. The fall season also includes GoByBike week, Halloween, daylight savings time, and generally darker, wetter traveling conditions, making it important to share Central Saanich’s roads safely.
This campaign is preceded by a number of recent road safety improvements or changes throughout Central Saanich, such as new lit crosswalks near schools and parks, a new pathway along Benvenuto, intersection study for West Saanich Road and Wallace Drive, and additional sidewalks in school zones.
You can follow along this campaign on the District and Central Saanich Police social media pages.