Project Update

The District of Oak Bay is advancing the McNeill Avenue Traffic Calming & Cycling Project, which will enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety while maintaining traffic flow along McNeill Avenue from Transit Road to Foul Bay Road. The project will proceed as a single-phase construction.

The story so far

The McNeill Avenue Traffic Calming Project was originally planned in two phases:

Phase One: Transit Road to Falkland Road

Phase Two: Falkland Road to Foul Bay Road

At the July 22, 2024 Council Meeting, Council reviewed two design options for Phase Two:

  1. Option A (No Widening) – A painted bike lane within the existing roadway.
  2. Option B (Widening) – A widened road with a separated bike lane on the north side.

Council chose Option A (No Widening), ensuring the project remains within the existing pavement width while maintaining parking on both sides of the street where possible. Both Phase one and two will be included in construction, tentatively planned for Summer 2025.

What to Expect

  • Utility Upgrades: Prior to roadwork, aging underground infrastructure will be replaced to prevent future disruptions.
  • Traffic Calming Features: Curb extensions, raised crosswalks, and improved pedestrian crossings to enhance safety.
  • Cycling Infrastructure: A designated painted bike lane within the existing road width to provide a safe cycling route that connects to Victoria’s network.

Next Steps

  • The District is finalizing design work and will coordinate construction timelines to minimize disruptions for residents.
  • A public update will be provided prior to construction beginning

For questions or concerns, please contact engineering@oakbay.ca

Project Background

McNeill Avenue is designated as a Collector in the Official Community Plan. Collectors are roads that help move vehicles from lower volume local roads and get them to their destinations, or to higher volume roads (which are called arterials.) McNeill Avenue is one of the primary collectors south of Oak Bay Avenue, and it connects to Foul Bay Road at the western end.

McNeill Avenue has a 40 km/hr speed limit and is used by approximately 4,400 vehicles per day and is also used by BC Transit buses. The road is 8.6 metres wide and allows parking on both sides of the street. Between Victoria Avenue and Foul Bay Road there are approximately 71 parking spaces. A parking survey conducted in 2021 concluded that of the 71 parking spaces, at most 15 of them are in use at any given time.

Issues with the Current Road

Based on conversations with residents, a few issues have been noted on McNeill Avenue in its current configuration:

  • Driver speeds: Although the road is signed as 40 km/hr, drivers exceed the speed limit, particularly coming down the hill between Foul Bay Road and Falkland Road.
  • Damage to parked cars: The road is narrow for two-way traffic when there are cars parked on both sides. Vehicles either cross the center line to avoid parked cars, or stop completely, to allow oncoming traffic to pass them. This condition has resulted in damage to side mirrors on parked vehicles.
  • Lack of cyclist accommodations: McNeill Avenue connects to Richardson Street in the City of Victoria, but McNeill Avenue has no bike lanes or sharrows. Coupled with the narrow roads and high vehicle speeds, it is not a pleasant experience for cyclists.

Objectives of the Redesign

  • Preserve the status of McNeill Avenue as a collector per the Official Community Plan. Lowering the number of vehicles that use McNeill Avenue is not an objective.
  • Provide accommodations for cyclists. McNeill Avenue is designated as commuter cyclist route in the Official Community Plan and the Active Transportation Plan, and it connects to the City of Victoria’s cycling network.
  • Make physical changes to the road that will result in more drivers following the 40 km/hr speed limit.
  • Improve pedestrian safety through road crossing improvements