Shelbourne Street Improvements Project

A street for everyone

Project overview

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.

What's Happening Now

Phase 1: Construction completed in June 2022. Our contractor will be on-site occasionally over the following several months to repair minor deficiencies.

Phase 2: Construction started in August 2022 and is well underway

Phase 3:  Detailed design is currently in progress.

Upcoming closure of Shelbourne Street

We will be completing work requiring the complete closure of Shelbourne Street, between Donnelly Avenue and Pear Street, beginning on June 12, 2023.

This work includes complete replacement of the water, sewer, and storm drain systems through this corridor, as well as road, sidewalk, and landscape improvements.

The closures will be in effect 24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, and are expected to last up to four weeks.

Cars will have access to businesses in the affected area, and pedestrians and cyclists will have full access throughout the closure. Busses will be detoured, and emergency services have been notified of the closure.

Timeline Overview

The overall SSIP will be constructed in 3 separate phases over several years. Construction of each phase will take approximately 18 to 24 months. Approximate timelines for the start of construction are as follows:

  • Phase 1 - Complete
  • Phase 2 - August 2, 2022
  • Phase 3 - 2024

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.

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. Prior to start of construction, the District will issue one or more additional notifications with more details.

Design concept

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

Phase 1:

Phase 2:

Phase 3: