Image: Mount Newton Pathway - Phase 1
Designs are shaping up for a new pathway to walk, roll and cycle along Mount Newton Cross Road.
Last updated: February 25, 2026
Central Saanich's 2021 Active Transportation Plan made the Mount Newton Pathway a priority for better walking, rolling and biking. This project is split into three phases:
In January and February 2026, community members gave feedback on designs for Phase 2.
Anyone who lives, works or spends time in the area was invited to share their thoughts.
Thank you to everyone who came to an in-person event to learn more about the project, chat with District staff and share feedback:
New Year's Open House
Saturday, January 24, 2026
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Fire Station #1, 1512 Keating Cross Road
Project Information Session
Sunday, February 1, 2026
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Municipal Hall, 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road
The online and print feedback form, open for four weeks from January 20 until February 16, received 228 responses from community members who reviewed the designs, learned more about the project and shared their preferences, concerns and ideas.
How your feedback helps
In late February 2026, Council reviewed community feedback alongside input from SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) First Nation, Saanich Peninsula Accessibility Advisory Committee and others as they considered the design options. The next step will be detailed design work.
If the detailed project budget is approved, crews could break ground on Phase 2 construction as early as 2027 or 2028.
Stay updated
Please choose the option that works for you:
Comparing design concepts
We asked for feedback on three conceptual designs. All three options had a 3-metre-wide, bi-directional pathway that continued along a single side of Mount Newton Cross Road between Highway 17 and East Saanich Road. None of the options would go onto SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) lands.
The design concepts had key differences, like placement on the south versus north side of the road and separation from vehicles.
| Option 1 | Option 2A | Option 2B (recommended) | |
| Side of Mount Newton Cross Road | North side | South side | South side |
| Continues on one side of the road | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|
Estimated cost
|
$5.7M
|
$4.8M
|
$5.6M
|
|
Separation from vehicles
|
Most
2-metre-wide grass separation (about 1.3 km)
|
Least
0.6-metre-wide paint separation (about 1.3 km)
|
Moderate
2-metre-wide grass separation (about 1 km)
0.6-metre-wide paint separation (about 300 m)
|
| Potential land requirement for drainage system | Most | Least | Moderate |
|
Adjacent to SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) First Nation
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Connects to highway pedestrian overpass | No | Yes | Yes |
|
Reduces undesirable crossing points
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Reduces conflicts for ambulance access
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Reduces conflicts for utilities
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Three design concepts
Cross-sections of the concepts helped to visualize key differences in separation from vehicles:
