Sunday September 22, 2024 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Starting Tuesday September 24, there will be a partial re-opening of Charters Road in Sooke.
This will ease up traffic delays for residents, commutesr and visitors along Highway 14 (Sooke Road).
Highway 14 is the one-way-in and one-way-out route to and from the town of Sooke and popular tourist destination areas westward beyond.
A few days ago, on September 20, the District of Sooke seemed especially pleased to announce the partial reopening of Charters Road, as complaints about travel time and delays have been intense over the past few months.
“Recognizing the impact this closure has had on our community, traffic control measures will allow vehicle access during peak afternoon and early evening hours,” says Sooke Mayor Maja Tait.
One could argue that a response to the ongoing complaints took longer than expected. Though it can be recognized that the solution of a partial reopening was probably complex to arrange given the road improvement construction schedule and the costs of ‘stop and start’.
Long afternoon commutes:
In the afternoon return-home commute, in some cases a commuter’s travel time is doubled for getting back from Victoria or Langford and returning to Sooke.
Attracting people to live in Sooke but with reliance on Highway 14 is a tough matrix that Realtors, municipality, local chamber of commerce and tourism operators alike have shared some creation.
“The effects of this closure have highlighted the need for broader solutions involving multiple levels of government. We appreciate the continued patience of residents and commuters as we work together to enhance infrastructure and support multi-modal transportation in Sooke,” says Tait.
Indeed, the fact that one residential side-road in Sooke can cause traffic backups that impact an entire community, region and economy indicates an extreme lack of foresight and planning between the municipality, the MLA(s) that have represented the region over the years, and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, with the adjunct concern that three elementary schools front onto Highway 14. [See analysis: Why do Sookies still complain about Highway 14? – Sept 15, 2024]
About Charters Road:
Charters Road is one single side-road off of Highway 14 that normally allows vehicle traffic to head northward to Throup Road and then west again to Wadams Way and Otter Point Road and parts-west beyond.
It has been fully closed for construction since May 28 of this year, as the District of Sooke has undertaken much-needed improvements to avoid flooding and other issues.
Charters Road re-opening details:
- Starting Tuesday September 24 – Charters Road open from 2 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Friday.
- Closure on two national holidays: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on Monday September 30, and Thanksgiving on Monday October 14
- Full reopening: Full reopening to vehicle and pedestrian traffic after the following tasks are complete line painting, hydro pole relocation, sidewalk installation, railing installation and site inspections.
Completion of paving:
“This reopening follows the successful completion of paving earlier this week—six weeks ahead of schedule—thanks to the dedicated efforts of Hazelwood Construction and the cooperation of neighbouring properties,” says the District of Sooke in a news release.
Paving is complete but the Charters Road Streetscape Project is not yet complete, so road closure is still required in the morning period Monday to Friday.
The safety of the public and crews remains a top priority, and the construction site will remain secured as key project milestones are still underway.
Three to five full-day closures:
In order to complete some outstanding milestones, drivers should note that a few more full-day closures still lie ahead.
The District expects three to five more full-day closures, with advance notice to be provided.
Weather conditions will factor into the timing for these full-closure days.
Almost there:
“While this partial reopening and the Charters Road improvements will help, we understand that they will not fully resolve the ongoing traffic challenges in our communit,” says the District of Sooke in their September 20 news release.
A November 1 reopening date is still the District’s target for a completed Charters Road.
“We are grateful for the project crews’ commitment and flexibility in balancing the outstanding milestones while prioritizing the needs of the community,” says Raechel Gray, Chief Administrative Officer, District of Sooke.
Significant growth and change:
The District of Sooke is now describing itself as “a former bedroom community that is experiencing significant growth and change”.
“While we hope the partial reopening should provide some relief to traffic congestion, the community will still experience delays.” says the District in their news release, adding that traffic challenges are part of that journey.
The District says that in the long term, solutions such as alternative routes, improved transit services, multi-modal transportation options, and increased local employment opportunities are being developed, but that it takes time to fully implement the changes.
===== DISTRICT OF SOOKE LINKS:
- District’s news feed on our website at sooke.ca/news and
- traffic advisories page at sooke.ca/traffic-advisories,
- District of Sooke’s email newsletter, | follow the District of Sooke on X.
===== RELATED ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS ARTICLES:
- Why do Sookies still complain about Highway 14? (September 15, 2024)
- Throup in Sooke: small road, big politics (June 22, 2024)
- Crushing rock in Sooke to stay on construction schedule (June 13, 2024)
- Sooke Traffic: portion of Charters Rd closed May to Oct 2024 (May 27, 2024)
- Sooke Traffic 2024: major improvements on Charters Rd (January 5, 2024)
- New four-lane section of Highway 14 now open (July 14, 2023)
- NEWS SECTIONS: BC ELECTION 2024 | SOOKE | SD62 SCHOOL DISTRICT | EDITORIALS
- TRAFFIC INFO: Subscribe to Drive BC updates by route | Island Social Trends TRAFFIC ADVISORIES