Pat Bay Highway to be shut down overnight in the coming weeks for overpass construction

The Pat Bay Highway (Highway 17) is about to look a whole lot different as the Keating Cross Road project hits the halfway point.

The BC government announced that as the construction efforts on the new Keating Cross Road overpass progress, a few overnight closures will be carried out in the coming weeks. 

For these closures, the Pat Bay Highway will be shut down through the night in both directions. 

Below are the closure dates announced by BC’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure:

• Thursday, July 25th, from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
• Monday, July 29th, from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.
• Wednesday, August 7th, from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.

A detour will be in place during these closures, with motorists being directed along Tanner Road, Central Saanich Road and Island View Road.

The Province added that drivers can expect delays of up to 20 minutes in this area and should plan ahead or choose alternate routes when possible. 

However, vehicles with a width greater than 2.6 metres will not be allowed on the detour.

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“Construction of the Highway 17 Keating Cross Road Overpass project is now at the halfway point, marking a milestone in safety improvements for south Island commuters,” said the Province in a media release. 

The project is currently on track to be completed in the spring of 2025.

Once the new overpass is completed, drivers will no longer be forced to turn left through busy highway traffic. 

Prior to the project being greenlit by the BC government, first responders and emergency personnel had been  calling for safety improvements in the area.

During construction, drivers using this corridor are asked to take extra care while travelling in the area and to obey all safety signage.