Regional Trestles Renewal, Trails Widening and Lighting Project
Project Type
Construction
Project Status
Current
Project Category
Getting Around
Project Area
Saanich, Victoria
Estimated Cost
$53.5 million
Estimated Timeline
2026-2028
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is upgrading popular sections of the Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional Trails by renewing aging trestles, widening stretches of trail to a separated bicycle and pedestrian pathway, and adding energy efficient lighting to improve safety, accessibility, and comfort for all users. The project will widen up to 4 kilometres of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail between Selkirk Trestle and Grange Road (adjacent to McKenzie Avenue), and widen 2 kilometres of the Lochside Regional Trail between the Switch Bridge and McKenzie Avenue and Borden Street.
These multi use trails currently see about 3.8 million visits per year and are a vital part of everyday active transportation as people travel throughout the region. Approximately 80 percent of trail users are cyclists and 20 percent are pedestrians.
Spring 2026 Design andPre‑Construction: Preparatory work will occur ahead of major construction, including:
Technical design work, environmental review, permitting, and coordination with municipal and regional partners.
Vegetation clearing and tree removal
Construction of detours
Installation of signals and safety features along alternate routes
Summer 2026–2027: Construction (Phase 1) will begin on the Galloping Goose between Gorge Road and Culduthel Street. In summer 2027, work will progress toward the Selkirk Trestle (re-surfacing) and McKenzie Road.
Galloping Goose Regional Trail closed June 1, 2026 to March 2027 with no public access
Separate detour routes for cyclists and pedestrians will change as construction advances
Through 2028: Construction (Subsequent Phases) continues in stages, including:
Upgrades to 2 km of the Lochside Trail between the Switch Bridge and McKenzie Avenue/Borden Street
Renewal of the Brett and Swan Lake Trestles
CRD Trestles & Trails Project E-Newsletter
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The Regional Trestles Renewal, Trails Widening and Lighting Project is being led by the CRD in collaboration with municipalities, First Nations, provincial and federal partners, environmental consultants, and engineering specialists. The CRD is also working closely with community organizations and accessibility advocates to ensure the project reflects diverse community needs.
Temporary Closures: Trail sections will close during construction. Detours will be clearly marked, accessible, and communicated in advance. Cyclists and pedestrians may be routed differently for comfort and safety.
Renewed Trestles: The Brett, Selkirk, and Swan Lake trestles will be updated.
Improved Comfort and Safety: Most upgraded sections will feature a 6.5 metre wide separated pathway, with 4.0 metres for cycling and 2.5 metres for walking, plus a 0.6 metre shoulder on both sides. The project will widen up to 4 kilometres of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail between Selkirk Trestle and Grange Road (adjacent to McKenzie Avenue), and widen 2 kilometres of the Lochside Regional Trail between the Switch Bridge and McKenzie Avenue and Borden Street.
Improved Lighting: Energy efficient lighting will enhance visibility at underpasses, intersections, and trailheads. In places like Swan Lake, low-intensity lighting or reflectors will be used to protect wildlife.
Environmental Awareness: The CRD is working with environmental experts, geotechnical engineers, archaeologists, and Indigenous cultural monitors to protect natural and cultural features throughout the project. Protecting natural ecosystems is a priority. Trail and lighting designs are informed by ecological sensitivity, especially in areas like Swan Lake. Construction methods will aim to minimize disruption to wildlife, vegetation, and waterways, with oversight from environmental professionals and cultural monitors.
The upgraded trails will follow universal design principles to support safe, inclusive access for all users, whether on foot, on wheels, or using mobility aids. Detours during construction will also aim to maintain accessibility wherever possible.
Construction Zones & Detours:
Follow posted signage
Slow down & follow detours
Don’t enter fenced-off work areas
Share the Trail:
Be Informed learn & understand trail & road safety
Be Alert of surroundings & other road/trail users
Be Visible by wearing light, bright, or reflective gear
Be Predictable and communicate your intentions
Be Courteous show mutual respect to all users
Keep to the right, mind your speed, yield, dogs on leash
Funding includes support from the provincial Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program and the Growing Communities Fund, alongside CRD capital funding. The CRD continues to pursue additional partnerships, grants, and non-tax revenue to support the project.
Trail sections will close during construction. Detours will be clearly marked, accessible, and communicated in advance. Cyclists and pedestrians may be routed differently for comfort and safety.
The Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional Trails currently average 3.8 million visits annually, and the CRD predicts that trail user volumes will increase significantly due to trends in population growth and a shift toward active transportation and healthy lifestyles. Trail use is currently comprised of approximately 80% Cyclists and 20% pedestrians. Increased user volumes and transportation modes have led to increased user conflicts in urban trail sections. User conflict has been recognized as a pressing issue that is expected to grow without a change to trail design.
This project aims to:
Create safer, more comfortable conditions for all trail users.
Accommodate an increase in use over the next 20 years.
Help the region meet its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting active transportation.
Improve safety and visibility by lighting key locations such as underpasses.
Renew three trestles nearing the end of their serviceable life.
The proposed design is based on active transportation design guidelines and best practices and will accommodate an anticipated increase in trail users. This design is favoured because the capital cost is lower and there are fewer environmental impacts anticipated during construction compared to a wider trail design.
The Regional Trails Widening Study completed in 2020 recommends lighting be installed at key intervals along the trails to increase safety and visibility. This approach is also recommended in the BC Active Transportation Design Guide.
Low-intensity lights or reflectors are proposed adjacent to natural areas, such as Swan Lake, to minimize potential impacts on wildlife.
Hard-wired LED (light emitting diode) light sources are proposed as they represent an energy consumption savings over conventional lighting options, allow for improved light control and light output, have a long life span and include a variety of colour temperatures.
Trail widening and lighting improvement construction will take place in a phased approach from 2026 to 2029. Pre-construction work to rehabilitate structural elements below the Selkirk Trestle was completed in April 2025. The next phase of construction will take place on the Galloping Goose between Gorge Rd E and Culduthel in spring 2026.
As part of any capital project, the CRD aims to protect significant natural and cultural heritage features and minimize impacts to the greatest degree possible. The CRD will engage with environmental, geotechnical and archaeological consultants in the planning and design stages to identify sensitive environmental, cultural and geological attributes and measures to avoid disturbance during construction. The CRD will also work with Indigenous cultural monitors to mitigate potential impacts to cultural heritage sites.
As sections identified in this project are active commuter corridors, the CRD will strive to minimize closure durations and establish detours where and when necessary to ensure continuity of use.
In February 2021, the CRD Board directed staff to conduct an expedited public engagement on the 6.5m separated use pathway design with lighting and implementation priorities, including consideration of low-intensity lighting in the trail segment adjacent to Swan Lake.
As a result, public engagement was conducted between May 25 and June 13, 2021. First Nations, government and agencies were also invited to provide input. A number of tools and approaches were used to provide information about the project, to gather views and opinions, and to discuss community interests. Find the Public Engagement Report here [PDF/1.2MB].
Consultation with First Nations, government partners, and other stakeholders continues as the project progresses, with updates and opportunities for input provided at each phase.
Extensive public engagement in 2021 showed strong support for the separated pathway and lighting.
The total project budget is $53.5 million, secured mainly through debt, with additional grants and partnerships being pursued. Recent funding includes $500,000 from the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program (March 2024) and $1.9 million from the Growing Communities Fund (September 2023).
Last Updated:
Territorial Acknowledgement
The CRD conducts its business within the Territories of many First Nations, all of whom have a long-standing relationship with the land and waters from time immemorial that continues to this day. Statement of Reconciliation
