Charters Road Streetscape

Urban road upgrade improving active transportation, transit access, and neighbourhood connectivity

Client: District of Sooke

Location: Sooke, BC

Project Type: Municipal, Transportation

About This Project

ISL provided conceptual and detailed design, and construction support for the upgrade of Charters Road (between Throup Road and Golledge Avenue) to an urban cross-section. Consistent with the District’s Transportation Master Plan, the new road design includes two vehicle travel lanes, buffered on-road bike lanes, curb and gutter, boulevards, and sidewalks.

The upgrade enhances active transportation by improving connections to key community destinations, including École Poirier Elementary, Journey Middle School, the Art Morris and Sooke bike parks, and the SEAPARC Leisure Complex, while also improving neighbourhood access to public transit.

Prior to construction, Charters Road between Throup Road and Sooke Road featured a rural cross-section with two travel lanes and roadside drainage ditches. Approximately 200 metres south of Throup Road, the road crosses Throup Stream. South of the stream, the area is primarily low- to medium-density residential, with most homes accessed from Charters Road. North of the stream, Art Morris Park lies to the west, with a large agricultural property to the east.

Challenges & Innovations

Throup Stream

The roadway previously featured a significant sag curve at the Throup Stream crossing. The design lengthened the vertical curve while balancing budget constraints and minimizing environmental impacts.

Utilities

The open ditches and culverts were replaced with catch basins and storm sewers. Utility pole relocations were minimized, and the watermain was replaced as part of the project.

Environment

The ecological value of Throup Stream was assessed to evaluate the roadway’s impact at the crossing. An environmental assessment was conducted, followed by the environmental management plan that was in place for the duration of construction.

Driveway Tie-Ins

The new Charters Road cross-section is significantly wider than the existing rural design. With a narrow right-of-way (18–19.5 meters), integrating driveways at varying elevations presented challenges. The design executed smooth driveway transitions while minimizing property impacts.