Fort Street Cycling Infrastructure Improvements
Creating safer, connected cycling routes through Victoria’s urban core
Client: City of Victoria
Location: Victoria, BC
Project Type: Transportation, Municipal
About This Project
Fort Street is a key component of Victoria’s All Ages and Abilities (AAA) Bike Lane Network — a multi-year initiative to deliver safe, connected cycling routes across the city. Completed in 2021, ISL’s work added bi-directional protected bike lanes from Cook to Yates and uni-directional lanes from Yates to Foul Bay, enhancing safety and accessibility through Victoria’s downtown and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The Fort Street corridor is a network of over 19 km of separated cycling facilities across various phases. Early work introduced Victoria’s first purpose-designed neighbourhood bikeway, setting new design standards for the region. Some of the city’s first Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), bicycle-specific signals, and context-sensitive sharrow markings were implemented during these initial phases — innovations that improved visibility, navigation, and overall user safety.
Since the project’s inception, ISL has supported additional corridors that build on Fort Street’s success, including Gorge Road, Government Street, and Kimta Road, with ongoing work on Bay, Blanshard, and Cook, and future connections such as Pandora, Begbie, Camosun, and Yates. Together, these projects expand Victoria’s protected cycling network and reflect the city’s commitment to safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation.
Our Approach
ISL worked through the period of rising construction costs and focused on finding practical ways to deliver safe and high-quality cycling facilities without stretching the budget. Our multidisciplinary team worked closely with various City’s departments to address design needs while actively looking for opportunities to simplify construction. In several locations, we replaced cast-in-place concrete medians with more affordable precast barriers and used landscaping or public realm features, such as bike racks, to reduce material costs. When tender prices exceeded expectations, we adapted the design quickly, finding alternatives to maintain the intent of the project while keeping costs manageable.
Key Features
Protected Cycling Facilities – Fort Street now has bi-directional protected bike lanes between Cook and Yates, and uni-directional lanes from Yates to Foul Bay, resulting in improved safety and connectivity through Victoria’s core.
Intersection Safety Improvements – Upgraded crossings with corner refuge islands, delineator posts, and cycling-specific signals, reducing conflicts between people cycling, walking, and driving.
Drainage and Grading Enhancements – Detailed grading and stormwater layouts fitting the new cycle tracks while keeping surface drainage working properly and maintaining accessibility along the corridor.
Cost-Effective Construction – Use of precast concrete barriers instead of cast-in-place medians and added landscaped buffers or amenity zones, balancing cost, function, and aesthetics.
Public Realm Integration – Includes landscaped medians, new pavement markings, signage, and integrated bike parking, making the street more usable with improved aesthetics.
Coordinated Delivery – Close coordination across disciplines to integrate utilities, keep traffic moving during construction, and deliver continuous cycling infrastructure within tight right-of-way constraints.
The Fort Street project highlights the value of close collaboration and adaptive problem-solving. By staying current with evolving industry standards and maintaining flexibility throughout design and construction, ISL delivered bike facilities that are now providing Victorians with safer routes for daily commuting and recreation, acting as an important corridor and crucial part of Victoria’s growing cycling network.
Integrated Expertise
- Municipal
- Construction Services
- Transportation Planning