Tuesday January 27, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Broke | Island Social Trends
Motor vehicle traffic eastbound on the Bay Street Bridge in Victoria will be unavailable four about four months starting next month.
Construction commencing in the second week of February is for the City of Victoria to undertake essential work on the Bay Street Bridge (Point Ellice Bridge) to preserve the bridge’s structural integrity, as announced by the city yesterday.
“We are committed to completing the work as quickly and efficiently as possible,” says Ross Kenny, Assistant Director of Transportation, City of Victoria.
Adapting to temperature changes & improving drainage:
The work includes replacing the bridge’s expansion joints to accommodate a wider range of temperature changes and upgrading the drainage system, which dates back to 1957.
“While the Point Ellice Bridge remains safe to travel on, these upgrades are essential to help ensure it continues to serve our community for decades to come,” says Kenny.
The Point Ellice Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 on the foundations of a bridge dating back to 1903. It received seismic upgrades in 2000–01 and additional surface improvements in 2019. The upcoming work builds on these efforts to maintain the bridge’s structural integrity and function.
No eastbound vehicle traffic:
To complete the upgrades, eastbound vehicle traffic (Victoria West towards downtown) across the bridge will be closed 24/7 for the duration of the project.
Detours with clear signage will guide eastbound traffic.
Likely most eastbound traffic will detour to using the Johnson Street Bridge (formerly known as the blue bridge due to its previously blue colour).
Eastbound cyclists can dismount and walk with pedestrians to cross eastbound.
Westbound remains open:
Westbound traffic, pedestrian and wheelchair access will remain open. Weekend and night work may be scheduled to help complete the project as quickly as possible.
The bridge will remain safe to travel on, says the City of Victoria but there will be construction noise.
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NEWS SECTIONS: TRAFFIC | SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND | GREATER VICTORIA