Busy Nanaimo intersection about to get road and safety improvements

May 5-23, major project work requires significant road closures at Bowen and Northfield

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 1, 2025 2:00 PM

Summary

Starting May 5, 2025, Northfield Road (at and around its intersection with Bowen Road) will be closed for intersection and street improvements, including traffic signal upgrades, road resurfacing and safety improvements. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians can expect traffic disruptions and detours. The Midtown Gateway Project is nearing the home stretch to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at one of the City's busiest intersections.

The planned 24-hour-per-day schedule of closures are:

May 5 to 11: Westbound (towards the Parkway) Northfield Road will be closed at Bowen Road. No left turns from eastbound Northfield Road onto Bowen Road.
May 12 to 16: Northfield Road will be closed in both directions between Bowen Road and Boxwood Road. No left turns from southbound Bowen Road onto Northfield Road.
May 17 to 19: The intersection will temporarily open for the Victoria Day long weekend, but watch for temporary road conditions or lane closures.
May 20 to 23: Eastbound (towards Departure Bay) Northfield Road will be closed between Boxwood Road and Bowen Road. No left turns westbound from Northfield Road onto Bowen Road. No left turns southbound from Bowen Road onto Northfield Road.

During this construction period, sidewalk closures and detour signs will be posted for pedestrians. The City suggests commuters choose an alternate route and avoid the area until after May 23.

Detours:

Super Save Gas remains open during construction; refer to maps for access restrictions.
Parkway to BC Ferries: From Northfield, use the Boxwood Road to Meredith Road detour, then continue to Boundary Ave before turning back to Northfield Road.
To keep up-to-date on any changes affecting transit service, please visit the Regional District of Nanaimo’s website at www.rdn.bc.ca/transit-service-alerts

Intersection upgrades will be complete on May 23. All businesses remain open and accessible during construction. The Midtown Gateway Project work will continue into the summer. Commuters can expect more disruptions, night work and temporary closures over the coming months. Once the project is complete, commuters will see much smoother and more efficient traffic flow, easier access to Beban Park and several new corridors opened for active transportation.

Link to Strategic Plan: Council's commitment to capital projects ensures that the City can maintain and grow its services to meet our community’s evolving needs.

Key Points

Between May 5 and 23, 2025, commuters can expect traffic disruptions around Northfield Road at its intersection with Bowen Road as the road is closed to improve the intersection and street.
Northfield Road will experience prolonged closures between Bowen and Boxwood to complete construction on the street and protect worker safety. Left turns at the intersection of Bowen and Northfield will also be disrupted.
Bowen and Northfield will reopen temporarily for the May long weekend (May 17-19).
During this construction period, sidewalk closures and detour signs will be posted for pedestrians. Where possible, commuters are asked to choose an alternate route and avoid the area. Super Save Gas remains open and accessible from Bowen Road.

Quotes

"Construction on major roads is always inconvenient, but the upgrades at the Northfield & Bowen intersection will be a major improvement when finished. This is a good opportunity to try the new Boxwood Road extension and roundabout. Whichever way you detour, thanks for your patience, Nanaimo."

Bill Sims

General Manager of Engineering and Public Works

City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

The Bowen Road/Northfield Road intersection is one of the busiest City-owned intersections in Nanaimo, connecting commuters from the Parkway to Beban Park, the hospital, and all of central Nanaimo.
When the project is completed later this year, there will be real-time communication between the three Midtown Gateway signals, with technology that aims to improve traffic flow in this area.
The City of Nanaimo is now adding construction zones/traffic disruptions to Waze, a real-time traffic and navigation app.

Images

Northfield Rd/Bowen Rd Intersection

Aerial view of construction zone

Bowen/Northfield Traffic Disruptions May 5-11

More maps available on the Midtown Gateway Project Page

Bowen / Northfield Traffic Disruptions Calendar

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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