Active transportation is a top priority for our community. Central Saanich's Active Transportation Plan lays out a plan to develop new infrastructure and encourage walking, rolling, cycling and transit integration.
Central Saanich's Active Transportation Plan
We adopted our first Active Transportation Plan in 2021. The plan outlines short-term and long-term networks and includes lists of priority projects. It is a living document influenced by the availability of grants for certain projects, annual District budget, District Council resolutions and effective partnerships.
Central Saanich residents expressed a keen interest to address gaps in current cycling infrastructure, which is a key theme in the long-term network. Cycling connections between Brentwood Bay, Saanichton and Keating / Tanner Ridge are a key objective, as is strengthening access to the Lochside Regional Trail to facilitate regional cycling trips.
Funding the plan
Multiple streams of funding support the plan, including capital spending, external grants, future land development using Development Cost Charge (DCC) and Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) mechanisms, external funding and partnerships. In 2022, the District began collecting a portion of taxes for active transportation infrastructure.
We're accelerating planned improvements to the active transportation network. The District has earmarked $10.4 million in investments over five years thanks to a $5.5 million grant from the province’s Growing Communities Fund, a one-time grant allocated to all BC municipalities based on population and growth.
Project prioritization
Completed, underway and upcoming projects are of the highest priority from the plan. Standardized criteria were used to understand how well active transportation projects address the key objectives of the plan, including completing routes where there are gaps in the network.
To be cost-effective, projects are integrated into other road works where possible. We look at upcoming road, sewer and water infrastructure needs for opportunities for upcoming projects, in addition to grant availability.
For updates on current projects see CentralSaanich.ca/Projects.
Recently completed projects
- Mount Newton Pathway Phase 1 (Mount Newton Cross Road, Lochside Drive to Highway 17) – A new multi-use pathway separates pedestrians and cyclists from vehicles. The pathway links the Lochside Regional Trail to an upgraded intersection at Mount Newton Cross Road and Lochside Drive with a four-way stop and bike crossing.
- Wallace Drive infrastructure (Wallace Drive, West Saanich Road to Stelly’s Cross Road) – A combination of bike lanes and sharrows (where roadway width could not accommodate bike lanes) guide cyclists from Brentwood Bay to Saanichton Village and alert drivers where the lane is shared. A new sidewalk along West Saanich Road and a crosswalk at Willow Way Trail connect walking routes to Stelly's Secondary.
- Wallace Drive infrastructure (Blossom Park to Lisnoe Avenue) – A new sidewalk, crosswalk with flashing beacons at Cultra Avenue and bike lanes to continue the route between Brentwood Bay and Saanichton Village.
Upcoming projects
- Mount Newton Pathway Phase 2 (Mount Newton Cross Road, Highway 17 to East Saanich Road) – Conceptual designs are underway for a new multi-use pathway. Engagement is scheduled for January and February 2026 to share designs and request community feedback. For details see LetsTalkCentralSaanich.ca/MountNewtonPathway.
- Mount Newton Pathway Phase 3 (Central Saanich Road, south of Mount Newton Cross Road) – Conceptual designs are underway. This project will not begin until the CRD's water main replacement project is complete.
- Tanner Road infrastructure – We are replacing a section of aging water main and making some modest improvements to Tanner Road to better serve people walking, driving and taking the bus to better serve the community now and in the future. This project will not begin until the Province's Keating Cross Overpass Project is complete. For details see CentralSaanich.ca/TannerRidge.
