Province makes tweaks to McKenzie interchange to ease congestion

Did your morning commute into Victoria make you a little angrier than usual this week? Well, you’re not alone.

Multiple drivers reported congestion being higher than usual near the McKenzie Interchange, with some even saying it was worse than when there’s been an accident.

According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the delays were caused by a sequence change at the intersection.

Ministry of Transportation adjusted light sequencing last Sunday

The change to the sequencing of the lights (who goes first) was implemented on the evening of Sunday, June 10.

There was no changes made to the timing of the red and green lights, however.

The ministry confirmed the change was what caused the delays.

“Previously the left turn lanes going up McKenzie went first on the green light, and unfortunately that sequencing change lead to traffic back-ups for southbound traffic during the morning peak period,” the ministry said in an email.

However, the ministry monitored traffic throughout the week, and based on those observations, it added extra green light time for southbound Highway 1 traffic on Friday morning.

“Ministry staff have been assessing and note that the morning commute was improved as it cleared faster than other mornings this week,” the ministry said.

“We are still working on further refinements and determining if traffic would still operate safely at the new intersection configuration if we return the programming back to the sequencing used at the old intersection.”

BC Transportation also noted on Twitter that the morning commute was improved Friday, and thanked drivers for their patience as construction continues on the interchange.