Monday September 1, 2025 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
As families prepare for back to school on Tuesday, the City of Langford reminds residents about the many road and path improvements made since 2023 to improve safety for students getting to and from school.
Since 2023, Langford Council has prioritized safe routes to school and has taken significant action to improve active transportation infrastructure across the community.
Budget decisions by Council in 2023 and 2024 accelerated the City’s Sidewalk Infill Program by more than a decade.
Over the past three years, more than $15 million from various funds has been committed to sidewalk infill projects, protected multi-use paths, protected bike lanes, traffic calming, and intersection safety improvements.
The City says this approach is helping set new standards for community safety and accessibility as the city continues to grow.
Latoria Active Transportation & the new south Langford elementary school:
One of the key priorities for 2025 was Phase 1 of the Latoria Active Transportation Project around the new SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary School.
Langford Council committed up to $8.5 million (reduced to $6.4 million) for upgrades to Latoria Road, with construction approval ahead of grant funding confirmation. Through detailed design, over $2 million in cost savings were found; however, accelerating the widening of a long old stretch road between Pritchard Creek and BC Hydro Poles has been challenging.
Regardless, students will be able to walk, ride, or roll their way to their new school on September 2. Please follow the maps, signage, crossing guards, and site personnel’s instructions.
Sooke School District SD62 has coordinated with the City to ensure that school bus traffic will not be affected by the ongoing construction. A temporary school bus route has been added in the Braeburn area to accommodate students while construction is ongoing, the school district has stated.
[See some interior photos of the new school, from a media event on August 27, 2025]
Additionally, as part of the preparations for the opening of the new SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary School, the City recognized that residents of McCormick Meadows would need safe active transportation connections to the school.
In response to community feedback, the City has also constructed a protected multi-use path including a new crosswalk with pedestrian activated flashers at Luxton Road to provide a safe active transportation route for students in the McCormick Meadows area.
Millstream Elementary sidewalk connection:
Another key initiative for 2025 includes providing Langford’s oldest school, Millstream Elementary (established in 1959), with a complete sidewalk connection along Hoylake Avenue (from Treanor to Millstream) for the first time in the school’s history.
This project will also introduce significant safety enhancements at the school frontage and a raised crosswalk.
Other upgrades around local schools:
Over the past three years, similar upgrades have been implemented at other local schools—including Ruth King Elementary, Spencer Middle School, Savory Elementary, Happy Valley Elementary, and Lakewood Elementary—across 10 different streets.
Commitment to public safety:
These investments reflect Council’s ongoing commitment to public safety, equity, sustainability, and the creation of secure, inclusive neighbourhoods for all residents.
The City’s future infrastructure initiatives, will be guided by the Active Transportation Plan and Transportation Master Plan, as identified in Council’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.
These plans will support the development of safe and accessible routes for students and families, and encourage walking, cycling, and active travel throughout Langford. Phase 2 of public engagement for these plans begins this fall.
Investment highlights:
Safe routes to school and active transportation safety investment highlights in Langford since 2023 include:
- A new signal light at Latoria Road and Klahanie Drive, with a separated multi-use path and sidewalk extension on Klahanie Drive, and frontage improvements for SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary School.
- A new sidewalk and protected bike lanes on Latoria Road (from Pritchard Creek Road to Whimfeild Terrace – Phase 1) to SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary School.
- A protected multi-use path on Happy Valley Road and Latoria Road (from Lobo Vale to Pritchard Creek Road), connecting McCormick Meadows to SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ Elementary School.
- A sidewalk infill on Happy Valley Road and Englewood Avenue to Happy Valley Elementary School.
- A protected multi-use path on Bellamy Road from Bellamy Link to Treanor Avenue with intersection safety improvements.
- A complete sidewalk along Hoylake Avenue with a raised crosswalk and frontage improvements for Millstream Elementary School, including a multi-use path and formalized parking.
- A sidewalk extension on Treanor Avenue from City Gate Boulevard to Lakewood Elementary School.
- A sidewalk infill on Atkins Avenue to the Savory Elementary School bridge.
- All ages and abilities active transportation safety upgrades at Goldstream Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway (VMP).
- A sidewalk infill on Goldstream Ave between Spencer Middle School and Ruth King Elementary, including frontage improvements on Matson Road with a multi-use path, kiss-and-go drop of lane, and formalized parking.
- Protected bike lanes on Goldstream Avenue and Jacklin Road with new pavement and intersection improvements.
- A sidewalk extension on Goldstream Avenue east of St. Anthony’s Medical Centre to the bus stop west of Vantilburg Crescent.
Municipal links:
- Visit Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) to learn more about Langford Council’s plans to shape the future of transportation in Langford.
- Visit Latoria Road Active Transportation Project | Let’s Chat Langford to stay up-to-date about the Latoria sidewalk project.
===== RELATED:
Infrastructure & Education ministers attend opening of new SD62 elementary school in Langford (August 27, 2025)
NEWS SECTIONS: LANGFORD | K-12 EDUCATION | SD62 SOOKE & WEST SHORE SCHOOLS | TRAFFIC