Three Central Saanich schools to benefit from new safety measures

New crosswalks with flashing lights and sidewalk extensions promise to improve pedestrian safety near three schools in central Saanich.

The improvements, officially unveiled Friday, apply to Keating Elementary and the intersection of Wallace Drive and Marchant, a route that leads to both Bayside Middle School and Brentwood Elementary.

Mayor Ryan Windsor said in a news release that the community’s active transportation plan has identified school routes as a priority.

“(And) those two places were at the top of the list,” he said.

Windsor, along with Couns. Niall Paltiel and Sarah Riddell joined Saanich South MLA Lana Popham, recently appointed Minister for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, Dave Eberwein, Superintendent of School District 63, Tim Dunford, School Board Chair, and Susan Hickman, School Trustee, on Friday outside the school during the official opening.

The school improvements cost $650,000, with $400,000 in grants from the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program.

Rob Fleming, Secretary of State for Transport and Infrastructure, said keeping children safe in school zones is vital.

The improvements at Keating Elementary and the intersection of Wallace Drive and Marchant are among three completed active transit projects.

The other major project added a 450-meter path along Benvenuto Avenue to encourage walking and bicycling to Butchart Gardens and Tod Inlet.

According to a press release, the new trail begins near the BC Transit stop on Wallace Drive. Benvenuto Avenue is the only street access to Butchart Gardens, an internationally renowned public attraction that draws over a million visitors annually.

Twelve cherry blossom trees donated by Butchart Gardens line the trail.

The project received $322,800 from the provincial government to help communities recover from COVID-19.

Windsor said the community worked hard to secure grants.

The municipality is also trying to improve active traffic signage.

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