New Galloping Goose bridge now open in Colwood over busy Island Highway

A long-awaited safety upgrade for cyclists and pedestrians in Colwood is now complete.

The City of Colwood has officially opened its new Galloping Goose pedestrian and cycling bridge, carrying trail users safely over Sooke Road, also known as Island Highway.

The new overpass eliminates the need for trail users to cross at street level near Wale Road, where cyclists and pedestrians previously had to navigate multiple lanes of traffic.

With the bridge now open, users can move seamlessly along the Galloping Goose Trail without interruption.

City officials say the improvement will make a noticeable difference along one of the region’s busiest active transportation corridors.

The Galloping Goose Trail stretches roughly 55 kilometres from Victoria to Sooke and sees thousands of users each week.

According to the city, about 6,000 people use this section weekly, while more than 270,000 cyclists and pedestrians were counted near Wale Road between March 2024 and March 2025.

An official opening ceremony is scheduled today. During that time, the bridge will be temporarily closed from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to allow for remarks from Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi along with federal, provincial, Indigenous and community partners.

In a Facebook post, the city thanked residents for their patience as crews wrapped up construction and invited the community to celebrate the milestone.

Construction on the project began in March 2025, with major steel sections installed earlier this year during overnight closures along the highway.

The bridge was funded through a $3.6 million grant from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and is part of Colwood’s broader effort to improve safety, reduce congestion and encourage more people to walk and cycle.

With the overpass now in place, the once-busy crossing has been replaced by a safer and more convenient route for the thousands who rely on the Galloping Goose every week.