VICTORIA – The City of Victoria, the Victoria Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) and BC Transit are pleased to announce construction is underway on Phase 2 of Douglas Street Priority Transit and Cycling Lanes. The project is expected to be complete in the spring of 2015.
The priority lanes are designed to shorten travel times for transit customers, increase the reliability of public transit and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by limiting idling and reducing the number of vehicles on the road. Phase 2 will further alleviate congestion on Douglas Street, following the introduction of Phase 1 Transit and Cycling Lanes in the spring of 2014. Phase 1 saw dedicated bus/bike lanes in both directions from Herald to Hillside from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A northbound transit and cycling priority lane will be constructed from Hillside Avenue to Tolmie Avenue. The northbound lane will be exclusively designated for transit and bicycles Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A new traffic light at the Tolmie Avenue intersection is included in Phase 2. The new traffic light will offer safer travel for both vehicles and pedestrians in the popular Mayfair Shopping Centre area.
The VRTC and BC Transit are funding the $1.5 million that is required to complete Phase 1 and Phase 2.
“The Commission is looking forward to expanding the scope of transit and cycling priority lanes,” said Susan Brice, VRTC Chair. “With the success of Phase 1 and the continued support of the City of Victoria, we are quickly building a more attractive transit system that will ensure a sustainable future for our customers and the region as a whole.”
“I’m pleased to see the second phase of this long-term vision for more sustainable transportation in the region launched today and would like to thank BC Transit for its leadership and commitment,” said Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps.
“We are pleased to mark the groundbreaking on Phase 2 of transit priority lanes on the Douglas Street,” said BC Transit President and CEO Manuel Achadinha. “This project, with the ongoing the support and leadership of the VRTC and the City of Victoria, will make transit more efficient and effective for customers.”
For more information on the project please visit
https://www.bctransit.com/victoria/transit-future/victoria-transit-priority-corridors
Media contacts:
Meribeth Burton
BC Transit
Corporate Spokesperson
Office: 250-995-5720
Cellular: 250-507-8145
media@bctransit.com
Katie Hamilton
City of Victoria
Director, Citizen Engagement and Strategic Planning
Office: 250-361-0210
Cellular: 250-217-8343
khamilton@victoria.ca
Frequently asked questions:
What are priority transit lanes?
These are specially marked lanes for transit and cyclist use only, that help transit vehicles maintain an efficient and reliable schedule in congested areas during peak travel times.
What are the benefits of priority transit lanes?
The Douglas Street Priority Transit and Cycling Lanes project is designed to shorten travel times for passengers, increase the reliability of public transit, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by limiting idling. Encouraging more transit use will also lower the number of vehicles on the road. The Douglas Street corridor currently supports as many as 1,700 vehicles per hour during peak travel times.
Where is the new priority transit lane located?
Phase 2 focuses on the creation of a shared northbound bus and bike lane from Hillside Avenue to Tolmie Avenue.
When are these lanes operating?
Priority lanes will operate Monday through Friday during peak travel times from 3 to 6 p.m. northbound.
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During hours of operation, what changes for me in these lanes?
While bus lanes are in operation, you are not permitted to park, unload a vehicle or drive in the lane without the intention of turning right at the next block.
What happens during off-peak hours?
Parking will be permitted south of Hillside in designated zones while the priority transit lanes are not in operation.
What happens if I need to turn across a bus lane?
During bus lanes operational hours, general vehicles will be allowed to enter the shared bus and bicycle only lane if they are making a right hand turn within their current block.
How can I identify a bus lane?
There will be signage at the start and end of each bus lane, as well as diamond-shape markings on the road. (see image)
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What if I’m a cyclist?
Cyclists can use the bus lanes during operational hours. You’ll be sharing the lane with buses, so normal road safety awareness and courtesy apply. BC Transit has shared the road for many years with cyclists without designated cycling lanes. Transit operators are trained to focus on safety and watch for all other types of transportation modes.
How is this being enforced?
City of Victoria staff will monitor the lanes during hours of operation and ensure that buses and cyclists have unrestricted use.
For more information on the project please visit https://www.bctransit.com/victoria/transit-future/victoria-transit-priority-corridors
