Colwood’s busy stretch of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail is getting a major upgrade that promises to improve safety and accessibility for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Starting Wednesday, March 26th, construction will begin on a long-awaited pedestrian and cycling bridge over Sooke Road, linking the Galloping Goose Trail without requiring users to navigate the busy intersection at Wale Road and Island Highway.
The new overpass will create a continuous route along the trail, eliminating the current detour that forces walkers and cyclists onto city streets and across a busy signalized intersection.
While construction is underway, the trail will be closed between Wale Road and the Belmont Bridge behind Colwood Corners from March 26th to October 31st. A detour will guide users along Belmont Road, Ocean Boulevard, and Wale Road to reconnect with the trail.
The City of Colwood secured a $3.6 million grant through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support the project, with additional funding from city reserves.
The bridge is expected to be completed ahead of the 2026 grant deadline, following an estimated 32-week construction timeline.
“This bridge will give trail users a safer, more enjoyable experience and encourage even more people to travel through Colwood by bike or on foot,” the City said in a release. “It supports Colwood’s broader goals for health, well-being, and climate action.”
Recent upgrades to the trail crossing on Wale Road are designed to feed directly into the bridge approach, creating a smoother transition and eliminating a confusing section of trail that currently ends abruptly with no safe crossing point.
Related: Here’s what the new pedestrian overpass in Colwood could look like
The Galloping Goose Trail, which runs from Victoria to Sooke, is one of the most popular multi-use routes on the island.
The design of the bridge is expected to include enhanced under lighting, black powder coated fencing on the approach, post-tensioned cable fencing with a natural wood railing, and stamped concrete with a rock pattern.
Between March 1st, 2024, and March 1st, of this year, more than 270,000 cyclists and pedestrians passed the automated counter near Wale Road—highlighting the demand for safer infrastructure in the area.
Trail users are asked to obey all detour signs and exercise caution while construction is underway.
