identifies gaps in the pedestrian and cycling network;
recommends improvements to the quality and experience for people walking, biking and rolling;
provides a roadmap for high priority improvements over the next 5–10 years;
aims to increase the share of trips completed by active transportation and to more broadly reach the greenhouse gas (GHG) targets set out in the Official Community Plan.
Council approved the plan and directed staff to bring forward initiatives for Council consideration that include budget and capacity implications during the 2022 budget planning process. This made-in-Esquimalt plan is driven by best practices and the latest design guides to reflect the needs, interests & priorities of the community.
Protected quick-build bike lanes on Esquimalt Road between Dominion and Canteen roads to be completed in two phases:
Phase 1: Dominion to Lampson Street
Phase 2: Canteen to Lampson Street
Phase I works:
New curb, gutter, sidewalk and ramps at various intersections to improve accessibility and safety
New continuous sidewalk and driveway style access across Macaulay Street at Esquimalt Road
New protected uni-directional bike lanes from Lampson Street to Dominion Road
Removal of on-street parking between Lampson Street to Dominion Road
New Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) multi-use crosswalks at Macaulay Street, 848 Esquimalt and at Dunsmuir Road
Traffic signal upgrades at Lampson Street and Head Street including new signal timing at Lampson Street and Esquimalt Road
New protected bi-directional bike lane connector on Esquimalt Road from Dunsmuir to Dominion Road
Lighting upgrades at select intersections
Phase I timeline:
Esquimalt Road Active Transportation Improvements Phase 1 – Dominion to Lampson
Conceptual design underway
Design refinement engagement - 2024
What We Heard Report presented to Council - 2024
Detailed design - 2024
Construction - 2024/2025
Phase II timeline
Esquimalt Road Active Transportation Improvements Phase 2 – Canteen to Lampson
Conceptual design - 2024
Design refinement engagement - 2024
What We Heard Report presented to Council - 2024
Detailed design – 2024/2025
Construction - 2025
Phase II of the project has a focus on the section of Esquimalt Road from Joffre Street to Canteen Road. Expect more engagement on this phase in the fall, excluding Admirals to Fraser.
What to expect as part of the design refinement engagement later in 2025
Staff will reach out to the public to review the design and seek input on form and character to provide feedback on:
Alignment with ATNP goals and vision
Perceived safety and comfort of the proposed design
Where additional changes are needed
Parking compositions / accommodations on side streets
Any other comments
Speed signs around the township are changing to reflect recent updates to speed limits in Esquimalt. Council passed a bylaw to reduce speed limits earlier this year: major roads in Esquimalt are now 40km/hr and all other roads are 30km/hr with few exceptions.
The township’s municipal-wide approach means that all streets are either 40 or 30km/hr and provide a consistent application of speeds in the community.
Lowered speed limits also dovetail with other active transportation network improvements completed over the past year, such as an extended network of protected bike lanes, improved pedestrian crossings and new sidewalks.
The township has proposed design improvements for both Lampson and Tillicum streets. Using feedback based on our Active Transportation Network Plan public engagement as well as previous surveys, these draft designs aim to enhance road safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
Before moving forward to finalize designs, the township wanted to showcase the plan’s features then hear feedback from residents and businesses on these proposed changes.
CRD's Ready Step Roll Sustainable School Commute Planning initiative helps enable school communities to use active and sustainable transportation to/from school more often by reducing barriers in accessibility, safety, convenience and comfort.
New Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon crosswalks are being installed at Aral, Dellwood, Garthland, Foreshaw, and Arcadia streets. The project is funded in part by a $500,000 BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant.
