Parts are on order and designs are being drawn for the traffic light to be removed at McTavish and East Saanich roads.
“Now that we’ve got traffic on to Canora, the signal is not warranted there,” said Levi Timmermans, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure representative, McTavish Interchange Project. “However, the old condition with the four-way stop and flashing lights does not meet current standards.”
The original intent, before construction started was to have the lights as an interim solution.
“Yes the design is to have the signal out,” Timmermans said.
Drivers are getting a good look at the new work done on Canora while construction continues on McTavish Road which was closed to traffic last week.
“The McTavish interchange is still under construction and therefore is functioning as a construction site with detours in place and this will likely last a few more months until the interchange is complete,” said Jerry Froese, Senior Traffic Engineer. Access to McTavish Road itself will be closed for about a month as crews work on the road.
Timmermans said navigating through the roundabouts takes active driving skills.
“You have to pay more attention, so the chances of having an accident are reduced as speed is reduced … at 20 to 30 kilometres per hour, slow traffic, the worst you can expect is a fender-bender,” he said.
The Ministry of Transportation is continually updating its website to keep the public informed about the construction and detours.
“There are three milestones: to repave the highway ramp end to ramp end; to have it remilled and repainted and to finish the south bound on ramp. We should have total completion by mid-July,” said Timmermans.
- with files from Laura Lavin