Nelson’s new Victoria Street transit exchange is slated to be completed by the end of July.
The completed project will see the current transit exchange, currently located on Ward and Stanley Streets, moved to its new home on the 300 block of Victoria Street, between Stanley and Kootenay Streets.
The project was first announced by the City last Febuary. It was originally scheduled to be complete by October of 2024.
BC Transit says work on the $2.4-million project will begin in early March. Once complete, the new exchange will include:
• Five bus bays, with the potential for an additional bay to support future transit demands;
• Bus shelters with bench seating to protect customers from weather elements;
• Improved streetlighting and bus shelter lighting for increased safety;
• Bicycle racks and garbage cans;
• New sidewalks along Victoria Street;
• Accessible public restrooms near the library;
• Wayfinding signage to assist pedestrians, cyclists, and transit customers in and around the exchange.
Construction-related impacts to traffic can be expected along Victoria Street.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and adhere to the instructions of traffic control personnel and signage.
Local access to the area will be managed by construction crews, with accessible pedestrian detours in place if needed.
The existing exchange at Baker and Ward Streets will be relocated to the new Victoria Street location once the new exchange is open; however, a bus stop will remain on Baker Street.
CFO Chris Jury told councillors on Tuesday that once construction wraps up, the city will then add any finishing touches, such as shelters and lighting.
He says deconstructing the old exchange won’t start until the new one is finished.
“The plan is that once the new one is up and running, we will tackle the old one and take it down. That way, we have the opportunity to put up signage. We’re not putting a bunch of parking in there right away, and the buses will still be able to come in, so that part won’t happen immediately.”
The city ensures appropriate communication will be issued to residents and transit users once the exchange officially begins operating at the new site.
This project is being funded in collaboration between the provincial and federal governments, the City of Nelson, and the Regional District of Central Kootenay.
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