The McKenzie Interchange Project is a grade-separated interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway at the intersection with Admirals Road and McKenzie Avenue in Saanich.

This intersection had been the number one bottleneck in the province outside of the Lower Mainland. The new interchange significantly improves safety and reduces traffic congestion for drivers, transit users, pedestrians and cyclists.

The project involves:

Construction of a new interchange at the intersection of Highway 1 and Admirals Road/McKenzie Avenue

Realignment and widening of the Galloping Goose Trail with a new pedestrian/cyclist bridge over McKenzie Avenue

A new multi-use bridge over Highway 1 to link to the upgraded Galloping Goose Trail

Upgraded transit facilities with dedicated transit lanes

Project cost:

The total cost of the Highway 1 Admirals Road/McKenzie interchange is $96 million, with the Government of Canada contributing over $32.6 million under the New Building Canada Fund’s Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component- National and Regional Projects and the Government of British Columbia funding the remaining $63.35 million.

Status:

Substantially complete

Project Benefits

The McKenzie Interchange Project is improving traffic flow of passenger, transit and goods movement vehicles and congestion-related impacts to the economy and the environment.

Project benefits include:

Reductions in frequency and severity of crashes

Substantial travel time savings

Improved transit facilities, including bus-on-shoulder lanes, coordinated with cycling and pedestrian facilities

Improved travel time reliability

Reductions in idling and fuel consumption, leading to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions

Improved cycling and pedestrian safety, by separating the Galloping Goose Trail from McKenzie Avenue

Widening of the Galloping Goose Trail to five metres (six metres in places) throughout the project

Safety benefits for students at nearby schools, who no longer need to walk along the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway or cross the highway at a traffic signal

Schedule

Completion fall 2020

Project Design

The McKenzie Interchange Project is a partial cloverleaf. It features pedestrian, cycling and transit facilities. This design was chosen because:

it is the safest, most efficient option and best meets the long-term needs of this region

it is the preferred option of 75% of those who participated in the public consultation.

For more information see: