Changes are coming to Jacklin Road in preparation for the opening of the Belmont Market Shopping Centre, but with changes comes road closures.
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 13, Jacklin Road between Jenkins and Division avenues will be closed in both directions for the next four months. Traffic will be rerouted on a new road that will run through the development. “Because there’s so much work being done on Jacklin Road between Jenkins south to basically where the school district office is, we’ll be closing those two lanes to traffic,” said Michelle Mahovlich, Langford’s director of engineering.
“We’ll be opening a new road inside the former Belmont school site. It’s called Division Avenue and it’s going to open to the public at some point next week and will be the detour route for getting around the closure on Jacklin.”
RELATED: Belmont Market plans taking shape
During the closure, crews will be completing a number of improvements, including the installation of a new signalized intersection at Terlane Avenue – which will act as one of the main entrances into Belmont Market – bike lanes, a new sidewalk on the east side of Jacklin Road (fronting the development) as well as landscaping and boulevard improvements.
Additional turn lanes and through lanes will be added at the intersection of Jacklin Road and Jenkins Avenue to improve traffic flow.
The Capital Regional District will also be replacing two existing water mains and West Shore Environmental Services will be extending sewer services from Jenkins Avenue south to the Galloping Goose trail. Hydro lines on the west side of the street will be installed underground.
Mahlovich said the decision to close Jacklin Road during the winter months was due to the fact that most area residents have their windows closed, which will reduce the noise impact.
Businesses along Jacklin will remain open and fully accessible. Area residents will have to come from the south and travel northbound into the area.
“Drive cautiously when you’re approaching a construction zone and watch for the signage that’s in place,” Mahovlich said.
Crews will then move on to improvements on Jenkins Avenue, which will include the installation of sidewalks on the south side, bike lanes and a new signalized intersection opposite the TD Canada Trust building at Westshore Town Centre. The entire project is slated to be complete at the end of the summer.
RELATED: Potential list of Belmont Market tenants released
The Belmont Market Shopping Centre is expected to include several multi-storey apartment buildings on the lands formerly occupied by Belmont Secondary school. Sobeys, Thirfty Foods’ parent company purchased the property from the Sooke School District in 2014 for $23.25 million. It also acquired the lot at the corner of Jacklin Road and Jenkins Avenue that was not owned by the district.
Proposed tenants include Thrifty Foods, Scotia Bank, Fatburger, Great Clips, KFC, Westland Insurance, and Good Earth and Eye Etiquette.
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kendra.wong@goldstreamgazette.com
