Heads up Galloping Goose Trail commuters.
Starting Monday, November 17th, a section of the Galloping Goose Trail through Viaduct Park will be closed on weekdays for five weeks as BC Hydro completes critical infrastructure upgrades.
A one-kilometre detour will be in place using Waterfront Crescent, Jutland Road, Cecelia Road, Napier Lane, and the Cecelia Ravine Bike Park pathway.
The detour includes separate routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users to maintain accessibility and safety. Signs and maps will be posted along the route, and the trail will remain open on weekends.
This closure is part of BC Hydro’s Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project, which involves replacing a corroded underground cable installed in 1980 with a new 230-kilovolt oil-free insulated line.
The 2.3-kilometre upgrade—spanning beneath Victoria and Esquimalt, including a section under the Gorge Waterway—aims to improve reliability, address seismic risks, and meet growing power demands.
The Greater Victoria area has four transmission circuits that serve about 160,000 customers. Two of those circuits have already been upgraded or are in good condition.
One circuit, however—installed in 1980—has widespread cable corrosion, discovered after a failure and emergency repair beside the Gorge Waterway in August 2023.
According to BC Hydro, this replacement uses modern, oil-free technology to ensure safety and reliability for decades to come. Another circuit running from Victoria to Saanich is also due for replacement by 2028 as part of a separate project.
Construction at Viaduct Park will continue through May 2026, with more detours expected early next year.
Additional marine work under the Gorge Waterway is planned for summer 2026. More details and detour maps can be found online.
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