Fort Street protected bike lanes from Cook Street to Foul Bay Road are now open. The new lanes extend 2.7 kilometres, making them the longest continuous protected bike lane project built in the City of Victoria to date.
The project features infrastructure renewal and road safety upgrades for all users including road paving, new and upgraded crosswalks, sidewalk upgrades, new trees, new traffic signals, a 40 km/h speed limit, green stormwater management features and more. The $9.4 million project, with $3.6 million of federal funds, was completed ahead of schedule.
“The completion of Safety and Active Travel Upgrades for Fort Street will have a positive impact on individuals of all ages and abilities,” said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “It serves as an example of the federal government’s commitment to investing in accessible active transportation options to connect communities, support healthier lifestyles, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative will offer residents, commuters, and visitors a variety of active transportation choices, enhancing safety, affordability, and convenience.”
"Sometimes, a busy road like Fort can make us feel separated from our neighbours or businesses, but these protected bike lanes and new crosswalks connect people and improve their sense of community,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. “This route not only serves people working and living on Fort Street, but also commuters from neighbouring municipalities.”
The completion of the Fort Street upgrades underscores the commitment of local and federal governments to active transportation infrastructure development, road safety and climate action. Recent investments in active transportation infrastructure are providing the public opportunities to shift travel behaviours, with 13 per cent of all 2022 resident trips being completed on a bicycle, compared to nine per cent in 2017.
When combined with the downtown portion that opened in 2018, riders of all ages and abilities can take advantage of 3.9 kilometres of safer cycling infrastructure on Fort Street, linking several neighbourhoods, employment centres, schools and shopping areas. While most of the construction is now complete and the route is open, minor work will continue through the winter, with new EV fast-charging stations to be installed later this year.
Media Contact:
Colleen Mycroft
Manager of Intergovernmental and Media Relations
250.896.5325 | cmycroft@victoria.ca