Relief is on the way for residents worried about traffic safety at the busy and often chaotic intersection of Metchosin Road and Lagoon Road in Colwood. City council has approved plans for interim safety improvements aimed at making the area safer for both drivers and pedestrians, particularly during school hours near Sangster Elementary School.
The approved measures include installing a new LED-enhanced stop sign on Lagoon Road and regularly repainting the road surface markings. City staff believe these updates will help make traffic rules clearer and improve driver behavior at the intersection, which has been a frequent source of concern for local residents.
According to Joshua Baylis, the city’s manager of engineering, many drivers are ignoring stop signs or rolling into the crosswalk as they try to move through backed-up traffic. He said congestion on both Metchosin and Lagoon roads, especially during morning and afternoon school hours, often leads to risky driving behavior. “The rules are clear—stop and wait for pedestrians—but people are rushing because of the backup,” Baylis said during a recent city meeting.
Councillor David Grove supported the move, calling it a “quick solution” to a long-standing safety issue. He said the intersection has always been “tricky and dangerous,” and noted that the council had received numerous complaints from residents in recent months about traffic conditions in the area.
In May, several residents urged the city to deny a rezoning request for 3333 Metchosin Road that would have allowed the construction of a three-storey apartment building. They argued that safety at the intersection needed to be addressed first. One resident said crossing the road with their dog felt unsafe and that they had seen several near-misses involving children.
The city’s decision to move forward with these temporary safety measures comes while it continues work on a broader Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The plan will guide future road and infrastructure improvements across Colwood, including the Metchosin Road corridor. Officials say the new safety steps are a short-term fix to avoid spending large sums before the master plan’s completion.
Baylis described the project as low-cost, estimating the expense at around $10,000. In comparison, installing full traffic lights at the intersection could cost more than $600,000 and require purchasing additional land.
Some councillors, however, expressed concern about implementing a temporary fix before the master plan is finalized. Councillor Cynthia Day supported improving safety but warned that Metchosin Road carries significant traffic and needs a long-term strategy. “A band-aid is a good thing when there are no other options, but a proper plan is really needed for Metchosin Road,” she said.
Councillor Kim Jordison also voted against the motion, saying it was “irresponsible” to move ahead without complete details on cost and timing. Both Day and Jordison worried that implementing the short-term project might interfere with recommendations coming from the Transportation Master Plan.
Despite the objections, most councillors supported the proposal. Councillors Misty Olsen, Dean Jantzen, and David Grove voted in favor of the plan, allowing it to pass. Mayor Doug Kobayashi and Councillor Ian Ward were not present during the vote.
The city hopes the measures will make a noticeable difference at the intersection in the short term. For many parents and residents near Sangster Elementary, the upgrades offer reassurance that the city is listening to their safety concerns.
The improvements aim to reduce risky behavior such as rolling stops, improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians, and create a safer route for children walking to and from school. While long-term upgrades will depend on the Transportation Master Plan, city officials believe this initial step is a meaningful start toward safer streets in Colwood.
