Better Transit Alliance breaks story about bus lane delay

The Better Transit Alliance tries to send an observer to every Victoria Transit Commission meeting. And the last meeting was more eventful than usual, with some bad news which we reported to the media. The basic story is that, like most construction projects in the region these days, the price for the bus lanes was higher than hoped as all the construction companies are very busy. Unfortunately there was not a big enough contingency fund in place, and bus lane construction has been delayed.

We are going to be pushing all levels of government to step up to the plate and fund the Douglas / Highway 1 bus lanes all the way to the 6 Mile Pub area as soon as possible (even if it costs significantly more than it would have a few years ago). And we are optimistic that it will happen quickly; we think this can be completed within 24 months of municipal and provincial governments deciding to proceed. Here is some of the media coverage of the issue:

Douglas Street Bus Lane project shelved because bids came in 30% higher than budgeted for
Monday, June 19th 2017 / CFAX

A Transit advocacy group says the next phase of the Douglas Street Bus Lanes has been shelved because bids came in 30% higher than budgeted. . .
Read full article http://www.iheartradio.ca/cfax-1070/news/douglas-street-bus-lane-project-shelved-because-bids-came-in-30-higher-than-budgeted-for-1.2702189

 

Douglas Street bus-lane extensions delayed, bids too high

Amy Smart / Times Colonist

June 20, 2017 06:00 AM

Bus riders hoping stop-and-go traffic on Douglas Street would be alleviated by a new stretch of dedicated bus lanes this fall will have to wait a little longer.

The next phase of the Douglas Street bus lanes — designed to speed bus travel along the busy Douglas corridor — is being put on hold, after bids came in over budget. . . .

Read full article http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/douglas-street-bus-lane-extensions-delayed-bids-too-high-1.20675443

 

Victoria bus lanes delayed by rising construction costs
Delay shows lack of commitment to transit in capital region, says transit advocate

By Megan Thomas, CBC News Jun 20, 2017
Construction was set to begin shortly to add more shared bus and bike lanes on Douglas Street.

New transit lanes aimed at easing gridlock for buses in Victoria have been put on hold due to rising construction costs.

Work was supposed to begin shortly to add more bus-only lanes on busy sections of Douglas Street — one of the region’s busiest transit corridors with up to 88 buses per hour during peak times. . .

Read full article http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/victoria-bus-lanes-delayed-1.4169563