Highway 1 - Colquitz River Bridges Widening

The Highway 1-Colquitz River Bridges Widening project widened and seismically retrofit both existing two-lane bridges over Burnside Road on Highway 1 in Victoria.

The new bus-on-shoulder lanes allow buses to bypass congestion at a key pinch point, helping transit riders get through the corridor faster during peak travel periods.

This section of Highway 1 is one of the busiest in the region and a key connection for people travelling between the Westshore and downtown Victoria. More than 300 buses travel this section each day, carrying thousands of transit riders. The additional lanes will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and help make transit service faster and more reliable, particularly during peak travel periods.

The project supports the South Island Transportation Strategy, which focuses on improving the on improving safety, reliability and resiliency through co-ordinated highway, transit and active transportation investments.

The project:

• Widened and seismically upgraded both existing two‑lane bridges over Burnside Road on Highway 1 between Tillicum Road and the McKenzie Interchange
• Added one bus-on-shoulder lane in both directions on the bridges
• Added new bridge deck drainage system, including rain garde and sediment catch basin, and replaced invasive plants with native trees and vegetation to better protect the Colquitz River

Status

• The construction contract was awarded to Pomerleau Inc.
• One new dedicated bus-on-shoulder lane opened in each direction on Highway 1 at the Colquitz River Bridges in spring 2026

Schedule

The Peninsula Streams Society are expected to complete environmental restoration works, replacing invasive plants with native plants, by September 2026.

Project benefits

This project will benefit the community by:

• Improving connectivity
• Removing a key pinch point by creating a continuous transit corridor between downtown Victoria and the McKenzie Interchange
• Improving climate resiliency
• Environmental improvements will support the sensitive habitat in and around Colquitz River
• A new bridge deck drainage system with a rain garden and sediment catch basin will filter roadway run-off, improving water quality in the creek
• Non-native and invasive plants will be replaced with native trees and vegetation

Project cost

The total project investment is $33.5 million, with the Province contributing $23.5 million and the Federal government contributing $10 million through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Public consultation

The ministry worked with the region’s local governments and environmental groups to complete the designs.

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