Transit System: Comox Valley
Two of the five new transit exchanges announced in February 2024 start construction in the coming weeks. The first two transit exchanges to start construction are at the downtown Comox and at North Island College locations.
The construction contract for the two locations has been awarded to a contractor from Campbell River, Wacor Holdings Ltd. Construction at North Island College on College Campus Road at Lerwick Road gets underway this week and construction in downtown Comox on Port Augusta Street at Comox Avenue is expected to start in late August or early September. Construction on each exchange is expected to last several months.
These exchanges that improve access and safety are coming to communities in the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD). The $8.8-million project is funded by the federal and provincial governments, as well as the Comox Valley Regional District.
In total, four locations in the CVRD – south Courtenay, downtown Courtenay, downtown Comox, and North Island College – as well as Oyster River in the Strathcona Regional District will receive upgrades and new transit exchanges. These new transit exchanges will improve transit access, customer comfort, and safety and support continued investment in frequent transit service.
Since the announcement of the funding, BC Transit, the CVRD and the local municipalities have been engaging key stakeholders and refining exchange designs. Each exchange will include concrete bus bays or curb areas that can accommodate heavy-duty buses. The project will also include improvements to pedestrian and road infrastructure, new bike racks, and new larger bus shelters.
During construction, the public can anticipate some traffic impacts and delays can be expected, but local access to businesses in the area will be maintained and accessible pedestrian detours will be in place. Temporary bus stops will be in place during construction so customers should look for signage and should check for customer alerts that will advise them of any changes or delays to routes.
Once completed, the project will enhance customer experience as well as service operations while facilitating service increases and ridership growth. For more information on the project, please visit https://www.bctransit.com/comox-valley/transit-future/corporate-infrastructure-initiatives/comox-valley-transit-exchange/
Media contacts:
Michael Zbarsky
Comox Valley Regional District
250-334-6037
BC Transit Communications
250-880-1303 | Media@bctransit.com
