The Victoria Police Department is asking people to give themselves extra time for travel and to anticipate temporary detours and road closures in downtown Victoria on Monday, May 18 – including impacts to traffic flow over the Johnson Street Bridge. 

Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather for the annual Thrifty Foods 126th Victoria Day Parade, which is following a new route. 

The Greater Victoria Festival Society’s parade will travel north on Government Street, west on Wharf Street, east on Johnson Street, and north on Government until Fisgard Street. The public is also forewarned a marshalling area will be setup around the B.C. Legislature and parade participants will disperse on Herald Street and north on Government up to Pembroke Street.

The road closures will begin in the marshalling area around 6:30 a.m. Prior to the start of the parade at 9:05 a.m., a Victoria Mile run will occur along the parade route up to Herald Street at 8:30 a.m., and the main parade is expected to continue through to 12:00 p.m.  

The Johnson Street Bridge will be open to eastbound road users and closed to westbound traffic. Westbound road users will be directed to the Ellice Point Bridge on Bay Street. Police will be directing eastbound traffic over the Johnson Street Bridge onto the westbound lane of Pandora Avenue and north on Store Street. Emergency vehicles will still be allowed to cross in either direction with the assistance of police, as required. 

Due to the changes in traffic flow on the Johnson Street Bridge, road users are encouraged to consider alternative transportation for the morning – and give yourself lots of time if you plan to travel eastbound between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. 

Traffic controllers will manage BC Transit access to the Ellice Point Bridge – alternating east and westbound flow on scheduled intervals. The Bay Street bridge will remain open to westbound road users only. 

Beginning at 6:30 a.m., BC Transit customers will be re-directed from the Government Street bus exchange to a temporary site at Fairfield and Blanshard Streets. 

Special duty members have been assigned to manage traffic disruptions, maintain order and preserve the peace around the event. Proactive measures, including the use of CCTV cameras and a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), will be used to enhance safety. It allows police to monitor crowds, traffic flow, and quickly identify any potential issues. RPAS cameras do not record by default. 

People can can follow VicPD on social media for verified updates on traffic impacts and any safety information related to the event on X @vicpdcanada and Facebook at the Victoria Police Department.