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Shelbourne Street Improvements Project

A street for everyone

Saanich is building improved infrastructure on Shelbourne Street from North Dairy Road to Torquay Drive as part of the Shelbourne Street Improvements Project (SSIP).

The project includes:

  • Installation of new cycling facilities;
  • Pedestrian safety improvements;
  • Transit infrastructure improvements;
  • Replacement of underground utility infrastructure;
  • Renewed asphalt road surface.

Why are we doing this?

The goal of the project is to deliver the short-term improvements to Shelbourne Street as identified in the Shelbourne Valley Action Plan (SVAP). The SVAP is part of the Official Community Plan and was developed through several years of community consultation. The project will improve safety for all road users, improve access for pedestrians and cyclists and ensure vital underground utilities continue to function safely and reliably far into the future.

The SSIP allows for new cycle tracks and better sidewalks without significant widening of the road right of way. The final long-term street configuration envisioned in the SVAP will allow for wider sidewalks and cycle tracks, as well as planting of more street trees. This will occur with redevelopment of the area over the next 30 years.

More detailed background information can be found on the Shelbourne Valley Action Plan (SVAP) Web Page.


SSIP Project Contacts:

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Design concept

View the design concept drawings for work to be completed in all phases of the SSIP.

Phase 1:

Phase 2:

Phase 3:

2024 Updated Concept Plans (based on the final design):

2016 Original Concept Plan:

Pear Street Improvements will be constructed together with the SSIP-P3:

Construction Impacts

Traffic delays may occur in the area during construction. Notifications will be provided to directly impacted property owners and tenants including those affected by scheduled interruptions to water service, sewer service and driveway access. Garbage and recycling services will be maintained throughout construction.

Phases

Phases overview
SSIP Phase 1 - Garnet Rd. to Torquay Dr. (COMPLETED)
SSIP Phase 2 - N. Dairy Rd. to Pear St. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
SSIP Phase 3 - Pear St. to Garnet Rd (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

SSIP Phase 3 - Pear St. to Garnet Rd (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

October 1, 2024 - July 1, 2026

January 2026

  • Most of the remaining work will be taking place around the Christmas Ave area. This involves construction of a new sewer pump station before we can complete the remaining sidewalks/bikelanes/road paving

October 2025

  • Lots of paving is taking place in early October. By the end of the month, Shelbourne will be paved from Pear St up to Broadmead Ave and from Midgard Ave to Garnet Rd. Line painting in these sections should be completed as well (weather dependent)
  • Most of the remaining work will be taking place in the Christmas Ave area. This will involve a closure of Christmas Ave, east of Shelbourne, starting October 14. This closure will be in-place 24/7 for at least a couple months
  • Remaining work includes construction of a new sewer pump station at Christmas Ave, landscaping restoration including new trees, implementation of new traffic signals, streetlights and finishing off sidewalks/bikelanes

August 2025

  • Work is continuing this month at the Cedar Hill Cross Rd intersection. Work includes new curbs/sidewalks and traffic signals. Expect traffic delays around this intersection
  • Roadwork ongoing between Cedar Hill Cross Rd and Elm St
  • Curb and sidewalk works upcoming between Kisber Ave and Christmas Ave
  • Some minor underground works will be completed north of Cedar Hill Cross Rd

June 2025

  • June 23 - Night work at the Cedar Hill Cross Rd and Shelbourne intersection is beginning this week. This session of night work is expected to last for up to 6 weeks. This will allow completion of remaining underground utilities, new traffic signals and prep work for new curbs/sidewalks at this intersection
  • Construction continues on Pear St (between Shelbourne and Cedar Hill Rd). Pear St is restricted to local traffic only. Pear will be completed and re-opened in the next couple months
  • Work is underway on sewer and drainage upgrades north of Cedar Hill Cross Rd
  • Sidewalk replacement has started in some areas along Shelbourne
  • Upgrades to the Mortimer intersection traffic signals have begun

April 2025

  • Night work at the Shelbourne/Cedar Hill Cross Rd intersection is now complete. There are still no left turns permitted at this intersection while work continues nearby
  • Construction continues on Pear St (between Shelbourne and Cedar Hill Rd). Pear St is restricted to local traffic only
  • Work is underway this month to complete water main connections throughout the project area. There will be intermittent water service disruptions to some properties. Affected properties will be notified in advance of these times

February 2025

  • There will be night work at the Shelbourne/Cedar Hill Cross Rd intersection, starting the evening of Feb. 18 and lasting for approximately 1 month
  • Typical hours for the night work will be from 6pm until 6am, Sunday night through to Thursday night
  • During this 1 month period there will be no left turns in any direction, at all times. Commuters are encouraged to avoid this intersection if possible
  • Construction of new sidewalks and full road repaving will also be getting underway on Pear St (between Shelbourne and Cedar Hill) this month. Pear St will be restricted to local traffic only during this work

January 2025

  • Construction is underway on underground utilities
  • There is a crew working between Elm St and Cedar Hill Cross Rd
  • Another crew is working in the area around Christmas Ave


November 2024

  • Construction is now underway
  • Our contractor has started work on storm main replacement
  • A Telus contractor has started on relocating some undergrounds Telus ducts


Construction Timeline: October 2024 – Summer 2026

  • Construction will be starting on October 1, 2024
  • Completion is scheduled for summer of 2026
  • Please note: some ongoing Phase 2 work will overlap with Phase 3 (October 2024); Phase 2 work will be complete December 2024


What are we building in Phase 3*?

  • Significant underground service replacements (approx. 1400 m of Watermain, 950m of Storm Sewer, 1400m of Sanitary Sewer)
  • New water, sewer and storm main service connections to properties
  • Replacement of sanitary sewer lift station on Christmas Ave
  • 1.95km of new AAA (all ages and abilities) protected bike lanes
  • 940m of new or improved sidewalks (including along Pear St. from Shelbourne to Cedar Hill Rd
  • New signalized crossing for pedestrians/bikes at Christmas Ave
  • Upgraded pedestrian/bike signal at Mortimer St.
  • Upgraded traffic signal infrastructure at CHX/Shelbourne
  • Conversion of 3 intersections to protected geometry (pedestrian and bike separation from vehicles)
  • 21 new or improved bike and pedestrian crosswalks
  • New or improved accessible curb let downs with tactile markers at up to 12 intersections
  • 5.1 km of new high visibility road markings
  • New benches, bike racks and bus shelters
  • Improved lighting
  • Relocation BC Hydro and Telus lines (Removal of 7 poles, installation of 9 poles)
  • Improved roadway drainage and catch basins
  • New pavement for 1.5 km of roadway (Pear St. from Shelbourne to Cedar Hill and Shelbourne from Pear to Garnet)
  • Removal of up to 13 trees and planting of 46 new trees.

*all quantities are approximate


PHASE 3 PROGRESS UPDATES:

July 2024

  • The updated concept plan (PDF) is now available on this page under the “Design Concept – Phase 3” space (at the upper right of the page). The file links are underlined below as well.
  • We are sharing the transportation aspects of the project and the extensive underground utilities to be replaced, upgraded or relocated including water, sewer, drainage, electrical and telecommunications.
  • The majority of the work involved in the project is replacing older underground utilities (some are over 100 years old) and upgrading capacity to address increasing population. The replacement storm drains will also better accommodate the higher intensity storms that are becoming more frequent due to climate change.
  • Construction tendering has closed and bids are being evaluated.

May 2024

  • Design is now complete
  • Construction tender has been issued
  • Construction is expected to begin in July 2024

February 2024

  • Design is nearing completion
  • Preparing to issue tenders