Project Summary: Island Hwy and Prince Robert Drive realignment
A road realignment project on Island Highway to accommodate southbound vehicles and provide smoother transitions.
Project Summary
Project Name: Island Hwy and Prince Robert Drive realignment
Priority: Critical
Public Engagement: Inform
Project ID: 2-2-11105-310 CC1278
Submitted by: Ivan Leung, Director Transportation Services
Executive Summary
This project was included in the 2024-2028 Financial Plan. With the 339-345 Island Highway development being rezoned in 2024, the Town will need to be prepared to conduct road realignment works on Prince Robert Drive. While the developer is required to supply and install half of the roadworks, the western half of the roadway would be the responsibility of the Town.
Staff also recommend paving the far side of Island Highway, directly fronting the development, as it would complete the DCC works for this corridor (centre turn lane / median and bike lanes), while also providing smoother transitions for vehicles and cyclists.
Business problem and opportunity
The design works for this project are included as part of project summary C-076 (Island Hwy upgrades – Helmcken Road to Colwood Interchange design). The shelf-ready design would be used to coincide the works with the development frontage works (possible commencement in 2025).
Proposed project objectives
Road improvements include:
- Prince Robert Drive: paving to accommodate southbound vehicles, complete with gravel shoulder;
- Island Highway: pavement restoration to provide a smoother transition for westbound vehicles on the Island Highway, bike lane, centre left turn lane / median.
Business risks
Deferring the work on Prince Robert Drive would result in a non-standard, narrow roadway that would be unsafe for all road users. The Prince Robert Drive work is therefore considered critical work.
Deferring the work on Island Highway may cause additional lane transitions that reduce driver and cyclist comfort — staff recommend capitalizing on the development to bring the road cross section along this frontage closer to the concept provided in the Transportation Master Plan.
Proposed sources of funding
Construction: Capital Works and Land reserve
DCC’s up to $68,310 (Island Highway component).
Operations: Taxation
Costs and benefits
| Costs | FY1 | FY2 | FY3 | FY4 | FY5 | 5-year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | 310,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 310,000 |
| Operational | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 1,250 |
| Total | 310,250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 311,250 |
| Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Tangible | Continuous, uniform upgrades from Prince Robert Drive to Burnett Road |
| Intangible | Mitigation of multi-year disturbances by consolidating construction |
Recommendation
THAT the Committee recommend the 2025-2029 Financial Plan include Island Hwy and Prince Robert Drive realignment to be funded by reserve and DCCs.
Additional Information
Figure 1: Site Plan of Proposed works
