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Buses to be detoured on Saanich Peninsula routes if Pat Bay Highway blocked

B.C. Transit will detour buses on routes through the Saanich Peninsula on Wednesday afternoon to deal with an expected protest that is intended to shut down the Patricia Bay Highway. Protesters are expected to shut down the highway between 2-5 p.m.
photo generic B.C. Transit bus in Victoria
Protesters are expected to shut down the highway between 2-5 p.m. near Mount Newton Cross Road, where the highway intersects with Tsawout First Nation lands.

B.C. Transit will detour buses on routes through the Saanich Peninsula on Wednesday afternoon to deal with an expected protest that is intended to shut down the Patricia Bay Highway.

Protesters are expected to shut down the highway between 2-5 p.m. near Mount Newton Cross Road, where the highway intersects with Tsawout First Nation lands.

B.C. Transit says bus schedules will likely be affected throughout the afternoon, with significant delays on the Peninsula and delays anticipated throughout the region.

Police have advised people not to travel if they don’t have to, and to allow extra time if they must travel to the airport or the ferry.

The transit route changes are as follows:

• The 70/71/72 Swartz Bay route will detour from the highway left on Island View Road, right on East Saanich Road, right on McTavish Road to McTavish Park and Ride and then back to regular route.

• The 70/71/72 Downtown will detour from the McTavish Park and Ride, straight on McTavish Road, left on East Saanich Road, left on Island View, right onto the highway and continuing on the regular route.

• The 81 Brentwood to Butchart Gardens will detour from the McTavish Park and Ride, straight on McTavish Road, left on East Saanich Road, right on Mt. Newton Cross Road, left on Wallace drive, right on West Saanich Road, left on Verdier Avenue and then back to the regular route.

• 81 Brentwood will detour from the McTavish Park and Ride, straight on McTavish Road, left on East Saanich Road, left on Mt. Newton Cross Road, left into Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

• The 81 Swartz Bay from Butchart Gardens will follow its regular route to Wallace Drive at West Saanich Road, then left on West Saanich Road to the Verdier Avenue Roundabout, then down West Saanich Road, left on Wallace Drive and back to its regular route.

• The 81 Sidney-Swartz Bay (only for trips that service Saanich Peninsula Hospital) will leave from the hospital, turn right on Mt. Newton Cross Road, right on East Saanich Road, right on McTavish Road, straight to McTavish Park and Ride and back to the regular route.

• The 82 Saanichton Exchange will run from McTavish Park and Ride straight on McTavish Road, left on East Saanich Road, left on Mt. Newton Cross Road, left into Saanich Peninsula Hospital.

• The 82 Sidney will leave from Saanich Peninsula Hospital, right on Mt. Newton Cross Road, right on East Saanich Road, right on McTavish Road to McTavish Park and Ride and then back to regular route.