Hello there!

Today we have news about the latest orca sighted off the coast in the Juan de Fuca Strait, plus updates on two major stretches of road in the region. One of them will get a new safety upgrade—but it looks like the other won't.

— Cam

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NEWS

Part of Galloping Goose in Colwood closed for next 7 months to build bridge over gap

A portion of the Goose won't open again until November, to allow for the construction of a pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Island Highway. This bridge closes a longstanding gap in the 55km regional trail system, which the City of Colwood says will make its part of the route more safe and seamless.

Currently, people using the trail have to detour at Wale Road and Island Highway, waiting at the light to criss the highway, then go up the sidewalk. Most of the Goose is a separated, “all ages and abilities" active transportation trail but this section shifts to cross-road travel that is less safe and comfortable.

“Adding to the confusion is a small section of trail,” the city notes, “that cuts across from Wale Road to the Highway, but ends there with no safe crossing.”

The new overpass will take the trail from Wale right to the trailhead near the park & ride.

Construction began yesterday, starting with the underground utilities. The project will last approx. 32 weeks and is timed to finish before the 2026 grant funding deadline.

The city got a $3.6M federal grant for the overpass and is funding the additional cost from reserves. The contract to SureSpan was $5.1M in 2023, but the full cost for the 38m bridge is estimated at $6.3M.

Until November there will be a detour going past Colwood Corners, pictured below:

Saanich will also be building an overpass for the Goose, in the Tillicum area.

The Selkirk Trestle on the Goose will also be closed next week, March 31 to April 1 or 2, for upgrades.

NEWS

Multiple crashes this month on Hwy 1 near Thetis; no new barrier planned

A major crash two weeks ago required emergency crews to cut a victims out of their vehicles. One vehicle crossed the grassy dividing ditch into oncoming traffic, causing the multi-vehicle carnage that sent two victims to hospital in critical condition.

Then multiple cars ended up in the ditch last Sunday.

View Royal's fire chief thinks that this part of the highway should have some sort of median or fence, so that fast cars can't cross the ditch.

The ministry of transportation told the Times Colonist that safety suggestions are always being evaluated but that there are no plans to add barriers, saying that the distance and slope of the ditch are enough to allow drivers to course-correct. RCMP told the TC that expanding winter tires to that stretch of road could also help prevent crashes like the recent ones (which involved summer tires).

Around the 'Shore

💊 Westshore girl's meds funded for another 3 months: Charleigh, 9, is the only child in BC with the rare CLN2 form of Batten Disease, which affects less than 25 Canadian children. Bi-weekly medication is cost-prohibitive at $1M per year, and her mother, Jori Fales, has feared an end to her provincial funding but was reprieved by an official call this week. [CHEK]

🚔 Possible swarming & armed robbery reported on E&N trail between Peatt and Veterans Memorial Parkway—just behind Darcy’s in Langford—around lunchtime last Weds. Allegedly, 3 white males assaulted a trail walker, brandished a knife, and took his belongings. Police seek info from bystanders. [RCMP]

🏗 Alleged assault at construction site in Langford on Atlas Drive: RCMP say a man, 54, appeared in court on charges of assaulting another man with an edged weapon.

📰 Last time: Election called, but not all Westshore candidates are set yet. New Island-first recovery centre opens in Colwood. [Tuesday newsletter]

Community Events

🤖 Island FanCon this weekend Join 5K+ fans at this pop-culture convention, with celebrity panels, meet and greets, workshops, and live music. City Centre Park in Langford. Fri.-Sun. [Info]

If you're going to FanCon in costume, send in your photos and we may feature a few.

🧼 Melt & Pour Soap-Making for Kids & Youth ages 7-13 tomorrow at Westshore Town Centre, kids can create soaps in various shapes, scents, and colours. [Info]

🍫 How to Craft Chocolate Masterpieces, plus chocolate history and samples, today 6pm at Westshore Town Centre. [Info]

⛓ Make a Custom Charm Bracelet with Wing Art Studio at Westshore Town Centre. 1pm. All ages. [Info]

☕ Perfect Milk: learn milk steaming and latte art at The Stick's Roastoreum in Sooke. Sat. 3pm. [Info]

🃏The Mysteries of Oracle Cards & Tarot at Westshore Town Centre. Sunday 1pm.

🧤 FireSmart invasive plant & woody debris removal at Solstice Park (across from Jordie Lunn bike park) on Sunday. [Info]

⛪ St. Mary's Metchosin speaker series runs for next 3 weeks. [Metchosin Challenge]

🎤 TEDxRRU tickets are now available; event is on May 2 (1-6:30pm).

Council Meetings

Metchosin: Special finance committee budget meeting today at 4pm. [Agenda]

Colwood: Council meeting today, and public hearing on giving heritage status to Pendray house. [Agenda]

View Royal: Council meeting next Monday. [Site]

Highlands: Non-public special council meeting; Regular council meeting April 7. [Calendar]

Sooke: Economic development committee meets Monday; Land use committee meets Tuesday. [Calendar]

Langford: No meetings until April 7.

What’s Offshore?

Off Colwood coast: Nothing right now.

🚢 Further out: The PS Trieste, a crude oil tanker built in 2011 heading from Long Beach to Vancouver under Malta flag 🇲🇹.

🚢 Moving on: HL Taean, a bulk carrier built in 2016 sailing from Yeosu Anchorage (Korea) under Panama flag 🇵🇦.

Westshore Snaps: Your rainbow photos

On Friday evening locals were treated to one of the most dazzling rainbows we've seen in some time. As the rain cleared, two arcs were visible stretching across the sky. A few Westshore locals caught photos of the great double rainbow.

See more photos of the rainbow from around the South Island.

View Royal – Michelle and Bill Schley

Triangle Mountain, Colwood – Regine Klein

Rock rainbow: Spring showers bring out the colours of beach rocks in Sooke. [Facebook photo]

Lightning strike over Victoria as seen from Colwood's Pedimeter Park. [Doug Clement photo]

That’s it!

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