Following a nine-month closure, Saanich’s Wilkinson Bridge will reopen Friday afternoon. The new 14.6-metre wide bridge is scheduled to reopen at 2 p.m. Friday.
“The Wilkinson Bridge replacement and Colquitz Trail extension project replaces a critical piece of transportation infrastructure, while providing new bike lanes, sidewalks, trails and upgrades to utility services,” said Harley Machielse, Saanich director of dngineering. “Opening the bridge to the public is a major milestone for this project and we appreciate the public’s co-operation throughout the construction process.”
The total budget for the 15-metre long bridge and Colquitz Trail extension is $6.5 million and includes new sidewalks on both sides of Wilkinson Road, 340 metres on on-road bike lanes and replacing streetlights with energy-efficient LED lighting. The extended Colquitz River Trail is now 465 metres long, and includes some streamside enhancements.
The project, which resulted in the closure of Wilkinson Road between Mann Avenue and Greenlea Drive, was initially expected to be completed in November. However, Saanich staff announced that month that they would not be able to meet the deadline for a partial opening of the bridge.
Over the coming weeks, final landscaping, planting and some minor tasks will be completed. Impact to the public is expected to be minimal, however, the public is asked to be aware of crews and flaggers as they begin to use the new bridge. Periodic traffic delays may be possible.