June 19, 2026 Update
As construction progresses, a temporary road closure will be required to facilitate infrastructure improvements. The closure is anticipated to be in place for approximately 10 weeks, from July 15 to September 30, 2026.
To help residents prepare, advance signage notifying motorists of the upcoming closure will be installed as soon as possible at the intersection of Wain Road and West Saanich Road for northbound traffic.
A fully signed detour route will be established at the time of closure, directing vehicles via Birch Road, Chalet Road, and Tatlow Road.
The Contractor will be delivering notification letters to nearby residents with details regarding the road closure, including specific closure times. Copies of the notice will also be posted at Deep Cove Market and shared with St. John’s Church and the adjacent thrift shop.
Early construction activities will include the removal of five trees within the municipal right-of-way. These removals are necessary to allow excavation work to proceed safely and efficiently.
Additional project updates will be provided as work progresses.
June 10, 2026 update
Chalet Creek culvert works has been awarded to Colecon Contracting Ltd. Work is expected to start mid-July with a full closure of West Saanich between Laurel Rd and Tatlow Rd for six weeks from Aug 17 to Sep 30. All work is expected to be completed by end of October. Outside of the full closure window, there will be periods of traffic delays and single lane alternating traffic during working hours.
Project Overview
Chalet Creek crosses underneath West Saanich Road just south of Tatlow in what we understood to be a 600 mm diameter concrete culvert.
The District undertook video inspection in December 2024 to assess the condition of the culvert. Results of the video showed a culvert comprising of short sections of concrete pipe on each end coupled to an original wood-stave pipe extending beneath the roadway. Sections of the wood-stave pipe were observed to be missing or in various stages of collapse and in very poor condition.
Above this culvert, and within the roadway embankment, are several utilities including the CRD water transmission line to Cloak Hill Reservoir, a Fortis gas distribution line, and a North Saanich water distribution line. Staff immediately conducted an initial assessment indicating the culvert is currently stable however have increased monitoring of the condition by scheduling monthly CCTV inspections, inserted flow monitoring equipment at the inlet, mobilized appropriate emergency pumping capacity in the event of failure, and have initiated planning for a repair as soon as possible.
At the September 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Council authorized the direct award of engineering and construction inspection services for the Chalet Creek culvert replacement at West Saanich Road to Kerr Wood Leidel (KWL) for a total fee of $115,890.
The District is working towards a tender date in February 2026 with construction to occur over the summer of 2026. Construction activity will result in closure of West Saanich Road just south of Tatlow Road.
More details will be provided as they are developed.