January 6, 2023

Sidney, North Saanich, and Victoria Airport Authority finalize cost-sharing agreement for Beacon Ave West Roundabout

Sidney, BC;

Sidney, North Saanich, and Victoria Airport Authority have signed a cost-sharing agreement to build a roundabout at the intersection of Beacon Avenue West and Galaran Road with a connection to a realigned Stirling Way.

The infrastructure improvement will increase public safety, reduce congestion, and support economic development in the area.

The budget for the roundabout, based on a Class A estimate, is $6.4 million including contingency. Recognizing that all three jurisdictions contribute to traffic at the intersection of Galaran Road and Beacon Avenue West, project costs will be shared across jurisdictions. Under the cost-sharing agreement, the Town of Sidney and Victoria Airport Authority will each contribute up to $2.65 million to the project, representing approximately 41.4% of the total estimated cost. The District of North Saanich will contribute up to $1.1 million, representing $17.2% of the project budget.

On behalf of project partners, the Town has applied for a $5 million federal grant (Strategic Priorities Fund of the Canada Community-Building Fund). If successful, the grant would offset the majority of project costs. The outcome of this grant will be known in early 2023.

The need for a roundabout in this key traffic corridor was first identified approximately 20 years ago when a gas station was proposed for the corner of Beacon Avenue West and Pat Bay Highway. Since then, concerns about traffic management have increased with significant commercial and industrial growth occurring on Sidney, North Saanich, and Victoria Airport Authority lands. This area is also well-travelled by Sidney and North Saanich residents. Further development is expected into the future.

In 2021, the Town of Sidney, Victoria Airport Authority, District of North Saanich, and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure commissioned a traffic study by WATT Consulting Group to study existing and future traffic demands in the Beacon West area and develop concept plans for improvements. The development of a roundabout at Beacon Avenue West and Galaran Road was identified as a short-term recommendation in the study.

“With the completion of a cost-sharing agreement between Sidney, North Saanich, and the Victoria Airport Authority, we look forward to improved traffic flow and safety for drivers, cyclists, and
pedestrians. I appreciate the multi-jurisdictional collaboration that has made this Stirling Way realignment and new four-way roundabout possible,” said Cliff McNeil-Smith, Mayor of Sidney.

“YYJ is pleased that we have reached agreement on the contribution formula for this vital piece of infrastructure,” said Victoria Airport Authority President and CEO Geoff Dickson. “This represents another milestone in seeing this initiative, which has been needed for a long time, come closer to fruition. YYJ looks forward to continuing to work with both the Town of Sidney and the District of North Saanich, as the project gets underway in the spring of 2023.”

“The District of North Saanich is pleased to contribute to this initiative that will improve the safety and efficiency of transportation in the area,” said Peter Jones, Mayor of the District of North Saanich. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Town of Sidney and the Victoria Airport Authority and look forward to seeing this project realized.”

The project is being managed by the Victoria Airport Authority. A Concept Design for the roundabout is available here. The design has not been finalized. The project will likely go to tender in the spring of 2023 with the aim of completing the roundabout in late 2023.

Media Contacts:

Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith
Town of Sidney
250-656-1139
mayor@sidney.ca

Geoff Dickson
Victoria Airport Authority
250-953-7500
geoff.dickson@victoriaairport.com

Mayor Peter Jones
District of North Saanich
250-655-5451
pjones@northsaanich.ca