The Songhees Nation in Esquimalt has received $75,000 in provincial funding for road-safety infrastructure, including new signs in Lekwungen and English.
The nation installed three solar-powered LED speed-indicator signs and new speed-limit signs and stop signs on Cooper Road, Chief Robert Sam Lane and Middle Road.
Speed-limit signs and stop signs in dual languages are also up on Lekwungen Lane, Ned Williams Road, and Stil Quee Mat Court, as well as on Lekwammen Drive, Camus Lane, and Upper and Lower Maplebank roads.
The funding comes through the Vision Zero in Road Safety grant program via the ministries of Health and Transportation. Vision Zero refers to an international initiative to eliminate road fatalities and injuries through better road design and other measures.
More than $1 million in grants have been distributed to 59 B.C. communities this year for projects like improved crosswalks, traffic calming, speed-limit-reduction pilot projects, speed-reader boards, improved lighting and road-safety planning.
Uchucklesaht Tribe Nation in Port Alberni received $20,000 for solar-lit directional signage along Henderson Main, Henderson 500, Henderson Lake 8, and the village road.
Other funding included:
Campbell River: $19,000 for upgraded bike routes with reduced speed limits for vehicles and other traffic-calming measures, and video safety analytics technology at the intersection of Highway 19A and Shoppers Row, the highest-risk intersection for collisions in the city.
Port Hardy: $14,850 for the installation of speed-radar signs to collect data about vehicle speeds.
Qualicum Beach: $20,000 for traffic-calming measures and active transportation facilities along Highway 19A on the town’s waterfront.
Duncan: $18,000 to install 64 new signs across the city to reduce speed limits to 30 km/h in residential neighbourhoods, and 40 km/h on connectors.
Oak Bay: $10,000 to replace a pedestrian-activated crossing with a rapid rectangular flashing beacon.
Nanaimo: $21,400 for raised crosswalks adjacent to Georgia Avenue Elementary and École Océane.
Metchosin: $14,350 for a crosswalk, pavement markings and expanded roadside waiting area at Hans Helgesen Elementary School.
Port Alice: $15,000 to install solar LED speed signs along Marine Drive, the main route through Port Alice.
Cumberland: $14,668 to install temporary traffic-calming curbs at key locations and crosswalks throughout the village.
Sidney: $20,000 to upgrade the traffic light signal cabinet at Seventh Street and Beacon Avenue.
Port Hardy: $17,000 for Eagleview Elementary Parent Advisory Council District for infrastructure to increase visibility at the dropoff/pickup location for the elementary school.
dkloster@timescolonist.com
