The public’s best chance to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be on Saturday, September 24 at approximately 5 p.m. on the lawn of the Parliament Buildings at Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Ahead of this occasion, the City of Victoria has announced the following road closures and restrictions:
Road Closures:
Road closures will be in place on Saturday, September 24, beginning at noon.
Road closures will include Wharf and Humboldt Streets between Courtney Street and Gordon Street, Government Street from Wharf to Superior Street, Belleville Street from Oswego Street to Douglas Street, and Menzies Street from Belleville to Superior Street.
Traffic access will be limited to local traffic only on Wharf Street between Fort and Douglas Streets, Oswego Street between Belleville and Superior Streets and sections of Quebec, Kingston, and Superior Streets close to the Legislature Buildings.
Parking Restrictions:
Parking restrictions near the Parliament Buildings will begin at 6 a.m. Saturday, September 24.
No parking zones will include Government Street from Wharf to Superior Street, Belleville Street from Oswego to Douglas Street, Menzies Street from Belleville to Superior Street, and Superior Street from Oswego to Government Street.
Some parking restrictions will also be in place in the lower parking lot at Ship Point off Wharf Street.
What else to consider:
- Give yourself extra time and expect delays, if you are travelling through downtown and James Bay areas on Saturday.
- Consider taking transit, walking, cycling, or arrange to be dropped off a few blocks away from the Inner Harbour area.
- Transit users should be aware that transit routes and times may be impacted by higher volumes and road closures downtown.
- Leave any unnecessary items such as backpacks, bags, and lawn chairs at home.
- Victoria’s harbour is considered an active flight zone for float planes and helicopters and is therefore designated a “no drone zone”. Use of drones is strictly prohibited.
Speaking to CFAX this morning the President of the Monarchist League of Canada’s Victoria Branch, Monique Goffinet Miller, predicts an unprecedented crowd, “If you imagine how busy the TC 10k can be, then add on the Symphony Splash and then on top of that maybe even Canada Day. There are going to be so many people lining the streets that, if people are wanting to get a prime location to see that Royal couple up against that red carpet, they’re going to need to arrive pretty darn early.”
Walk or bus, leave your backpack and drone at home and get there early!
