Upcoming road safety improvements at Back Road and Valley View Drive

Road safety improvements are coming soon to the intersection of Back Road and Valley View Drive, with active construction to include some evenings and overnights to minimize impacts to commuters. 

From August 5 to 21, weather permitting, City of Courtenay crews and contractors will be working in and around the intersection to install a small roundabout and median islands, as well as a 150-metre section of guardrail on Back Road at Valley View Drive. 

While two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the construction area as much as possible for commuters, emergency services and the surrounding neighbourhood, Back Road traffic may be reduced to single-lane alternating at times. Please drive carefully through the work zone for the safety of crews on site and other commuters.

Valley View Drive at Back Road will be closed nightly on August 14, 15 and 18–21, with detour via Hobson Avenue. 

The goal of the project is decreasing speeds and reducing collisions, improving road safety for all commuters.

This work is supported by an independent analysis of traffic conditions on Back Road, including existing infrastructure, traffic volumes and speeds. The project is one of the recommendations from the Back Road traffic study, which was commissioned following a formal request from Back Road residents for traffic calming in their area.   

The Back Road traffic study was completed using guidelines from the recently finalized City of Courtenay Traffic Calming Guide and Policy. The policy outlines specific principles and processes for escalating and prioritizing traffic calming requests in Courtenay, including specific steps for residents to follow when requesting traffic calming, and consistent criteria the City will follow to evaluate them.

The City is working closely with the Comox Valley Regional District’s Sewer Conveyance Project team to coordinate traffic planning for Back Road / Valley View Drive intersection upgrade.

Learn more about traffic safety in the City of Courtenay 

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Overhead diagram of the roundabout, median islands and guardrail to be installed at Back Road at Valley View Drive.

Fast facts

This project will support decreased speeds and reduced collisions at this intersection.

  • Between 2018 and 2022, ICBC reported six collisions at this intersection — more than any other intersection on Back Road.
  • According to previous speed data, around 45 per cent of all vehicles on Back Road travelled at a speed over 60 km/h. 
Jul 28, 2025
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