SookeTown

Sooke planning improvements to Church Road intersections A duo of traffic improvement projects are slated over the near-term for Church Road in Sooke’s town centre. The district has identified the need for a traffic circle on Church Road at Throup Road (identified in red), and intersection improvements that include a right-turn lane onto Church Road from Sooke Road, westbound, identified in yellow. ... Council has budgeted just under $93,000 for project planning. From a report to council, which is linked below: The Church Road/ Throup Road Roundabout and the Church Road/ Highway 14 Intersection Improvements projects are both important capital infrastructure upgrades that will benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The Church Road/ Throup Road Roundabout Project is listed as a short-term priority with the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and will greatly improve safety for pedestrians and motorists alike. The Church Road at Highway 14 Intersection Improvements are included as part of the Church Road Streetscape Improvements (also a short-term priority within the TMP) and include reconfiguring the road cross-section to include a bike lane and a turn lane to address long queue times at the intersection during peak hours. More: https://sooke.civicweb.net//Church%20Road%20Roundabout%20a

Yikes. Sounds like things got a little shaky this morning out on the other coast of the Capital Region.

CRD closes Jordan River Campground Jordan River Regional Park Campground is closed until further notice, says the CRD. The CRD cannot meet the contact tracing requirements as laid out in recent the public health order with respect to campgrounds and RV parks operating in the province. ... The campground is situated at the mouth of the Jordan River west of Sooke.

Have travel plans today? Take note of the following BC Ferries cancellations due to weather.

Sooke library opens with limited hours Tuesday, November 17, 2020 - Welcome back to your library, Sooke. The branch is now open for limited services, including: 30-minute computer sessions ... DVD and Display Browsing Takeout Service Reference and Readers Advisory For everyone’s safety, customers are asked to adhere to all posted safety information and the directives of staff, including limiting the number of people allowed inside at a time and maintaining a proper physical distance. All customers are encouraged to wear masks when visiting the library. Customers must have their library cards with them and use the self-checkout machine. The branch will continue to offer Takeout services for those who would prefer to use this service. All late fees have been waived but we ask that customers return and renew materials per due dates to ensure everyone has equal opportunity. The branch's current sit down hours are: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: 2-4pm Wednesdays and Fridays: 10am-12pm

Update: the extraction of the crashed truck is now taking place. Highway 14 is down to single lane alternating traffic between the four lane section of the highway and Kangaroo Road.

Sooke Firefighters Charitable Giving Campaign and Plan for Sooke Santa Run Announced From the District: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 - The Sooke Firefighter’s Association and IAFF Local 4841 Fill-a-truck Fundraising Campaign launches today, with a goal to support 400 local families! The campaign is delivered in partnership with the Sooke Chr...istmas Bureau, the District of Sooke, Western Foods, and Village Foods. A goal has been set for $15,000, approximately one dollar per resident. The value of each monetary donation will be matched through the purchasing power of the Sooke Food Bank thanks to local support from Western Foods and Village Foods. Those who are able to contribute are asked to do so through this Go Fund Me page, set up by Sooke Firefighter’s Association and IAFF Local 4841 on behalf of the Sooke Christmas Bureau. "The pandemic has greatly impacted people: financially and emotionally," says Mayor Maja Tait. "As a community, it is important for us to support one another, and between this campaign and the Santa Run, I hope we are able to do so." The campaign is led by local firefighters who volunteer their time for both the fundraiser and Santa Run. A community tradition will continue Plans for the Sooke Santa Run, a capstone of the fundraising campaign, that warms the hearts of families will continue while taking shape slightly differently this year. On December 12th, starting at dusk, four fire trucks decorated with bright and colourful Christmas lights and playing festive holiday music will make be driving through neighbourhoods to spread holiday cheer. Residents may be used to providing food contributions during the run, are asked not to do so this year. "The community of Sooke is incredibly generous. As we adapt our operations during the pandemic, we do not have the capacity to handle the influx of contributions received and kindly asked those who are wishing to donate to do so through the Go Fund Me Campaign that the Sooke Firefighter’s Association and IAFF Local 4841 has organized," shares Ben Molesky co-chair of the Sooke Christmas Bureau. "Continuing with the Santa Run provides a safe and responsible way to enjoy the spirit of the holidays," shares Tait. To learn more about the Santa Run and to donate to this year's campaign, please visit sooke.ca/santa.

Update: the incident involves a dump truck that has left the roadway. Crash on Sooke Road causing traffic delays A motor vehicle incident on Sooke Road/Highway 14 east of Kangaroo Road is snarling traffic along the thoroughfare. ... There are conflicting reports of a total closure, and some traffic passing through. Motorists may wish to consider an alternate route via East Sooke as a detour. James Corbett

900 hydro customers without power between Sooke and Port Renfrew as windstorm arrives on BC coast A couple of days of windy weather are ahead of us as an intense low pressure system descends onto the BC coast, which will extend into tomorrow. Currently just over 900 hydro customers between Sooke and Port Renfrew are without power. Wind gusts are already pushing 80km/h.