Active Transportation

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, cycling, rolling, 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 availability of grants for certain projects, the 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 Trail to facilitate regional cycling trips.

Completed Projects

In 2022 three projects were completed (Keating School Zone, Brentwood School Zone and Benvenuto Pathway), over $700,000 in grant funding was received, a wayfinding signage strategy got underway, and the District began collecting a portion of taxes for active transportation infrastructure.

Upcoming Projects

Projects underway and coming up within the next few years are of the highest priority from the Active Transportation Plan. Standardized criteria were used to understand how well active transportation projects address the key objectives of the AT Plan (pg 92). One of the critical pieces to the plan is completing routes where there are gaps in the network.

For updates on current projects see CentralSaanich.ca/Projects

2024

  • Saanich Cross Road A sidewalk was installed from East Saanich to Central Saanich Road.
  • Wallace Drive cycling infrastructure (from Brentwood Bay/West Saanich to Saanichton/East Saanich) – A combination of infrastructure types to create a network from Brentwood Bay to Saanichton.
  • Mt Newton pathway Phase 1 – Bike lanes will be separated from traffic and link to an upgraded intersection at Mount Newton Cross Road and Lochside Drive that will be a four-way stop with bike crossing. Construction in 2024.
  • Mt Newton Pathway Phase 2 (from Pat Bay highway to Saanichton)  Conceptual designs are underway for a separated multi-use trail. Public consultation will take place before construction begins in 2025.
  • Wallace Drive trail A combination of infrastructure types to create a network from Brentwood to Saanichton.
  • Central Saanich pathway (from Mt Newton going south) – With designs in the works, the public will be invited to view and comment on the project before construction begins.
  • Saanichton Village bike lane and sidewalk improvements – Construction in 2024.
  • Active transportation wayfinding – The District has designed improved signage to help cyclists and pedestrians navigate the District easily and safely. Implementation will be subject to funding from grants and room in future District budgets.

2025/26

  • Bus stop improvements – The District works with BC Transit to install or improve about two bus shelters a year. The location is determined by BC Transit based on ridership and other factors.
  • East Saanich Road bike lanes
  • Tanner Road improvements – bike lanes and sidewalks
  • Brentwood Bike facility – Brentwood Community Hall
  • Wallace Drive sidewalk design (Marchant to Sluggett)

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 its active transportation network. The District has earmarked $10.4 million in investments over the next 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.  

To be cost-effective, projects are integrated into other road works, for example, we look at upcoming road, sewer and water infrastructure needs and also the availability of grants as we look at opportunities for upcoming projects.