A segment of Victoria’s newest protected bike lanes along Wharf Street open for public use today. The phased opening will start from the Johnson Street Bridge to Fort Street and includes the pedestrian scramble crosswalk adjacent to the Victoria Visitor Centre.
The section from Fort to Government will open August 8, followed by Government to Douglas on August 15.
When complete, new features along the Wharf/Humboldt corridor will include:
- A two-way protected bike lane from Pandora Avenue to Douglas Street and a shared, traffic-calmed road from Douglas to Vancouver Streets
- Eight improved pedestrian crossings and a new pedestrian scramble crosswalk
- Two urban plazas with street trees, benches and urban play features
- A new pedestrian-controlled traffic signal at Yates Street
- A new traffic signal at the Johnson Street Bridge
- New transit stops near the entrance to Reeson Park and on Government Street
We encourages everyone to watch for and obey new traffic signals, to use caution when navigating the corridor, and to respect others by always following the rules of the road. This is really important! The new infrastructure will take time for everyone to get used to. It’s been designed to the highest North American safety standards. (Check out NACTO to learn more.) But safety standards are only as good as the people using the infrastructure. Please all road users of all modes take time and take care out there.
To assist the public, safety ambassadors will be stationed along Wharf Street and at the new scramble crosswalk throughout August to help answer questions about the new facilities and provide educational materials to road users.
These investments – funded by the federal gas tax program and provincial grants – are a part of the 32km cycling network that will connect every neighbourhood in Victoria by the end of 2022. Each project focuses on improving road safety and enhancing the experience of all road users. The new bike lanes and pedestrian areas on Wharf Street also contribute to increased vibrancy of the waterfront and connect existing facilities on Pandora Avenue and Fort Street.
For more information visit: victoria.ca/cycling
