North Cowichan Active Transportation Overpass

The proposed new North Cowichan Active Transportation Overpass Project will provide a safe pedestrian crossing over Highway 1 between Beverly St. and James St./York Rd. in North Cowichan on Vancouver Island. 

Today, there are no safe options for people to cross Highway 1 between Beverly Street and James Street/York Road intersections — a distance of more than 700 metres. Approximately 30% of all pedestrian movements across this section of Highway 1 are against existing signed pedestrian restrictions or in areas where at-grade pedestrian crossings may not be safe. With the opening of the new 1,100-student Quw’utsun Secondary School in 2024, the number of people crossing the highway to reach restaurants and businesses is expected to grow considerably.

The proposed new overpass will connect people travelling on foot or rolling (for example, using a bicycle, wheelchair or scooter) safely across Highway 1. Stairs by the southeast and southwest corners will improve connections on either side of the highway. Changes to turning lanes will also help to maintain the flow of traffic along Highway 1 by reducing vehicle turning conflicts.  

Status

• Preliminary concept designs have been completed.
• After the public information session, the design will be finalized as tender-ready when funding is confirmed.

Project benefits

• Improved active transportation safety: the grade-separated protected crossing option for people walking and rolling over Highway 1 will eliminate unsafe mid-block at-grade pedestrian crossings.
• Traffic flow and safety for drivers: traffic flow will be improved and potential for collisions will be reduced along Highway 1 by removing mid-block left turn bays.
• Greater connectivity and mobility: designed for people travelling on bicycles, wheelchairs and scooters as well as on foot, including improved connections to the local active transportation network.
• Overpass appearance: designed to fit in with the surrounding community with improved landscaping.
• Improved access management: new curbs will increase visibility of pedestrian pathways and crossings at corners and help drivers to easily identify business access locations.

Project cost

Funding to be determined.

Public information session

A public information session to share the proposed project design with local community members and gather feedback was held on February 7, 2024.

• Public information session display boards - February 7, 2024 (PDF, 3.1MB)

Use the subscribe feature to be informed of updates to this page.

Project map

Project video gallery  

---

Project photo gallery