A critical highway linking west coast communities to the rest of Vancouver Island closed hours after it was partially reopened Friday.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation announced Highway 4 reopened to single-lane alternating traffic at 3 p.m. on Friday. Officials had initially estimated the earliest the route would open was June 24 or 25.
“Highway 4 is a crucial route for our Island communities of Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino, and we know the disruption of this corridor has been a challenge for everyone living in and visiting the region,” Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said in a media release.
“We thank the forest companies, the maintenance contractor and its workers, BC Wildfire Service fire-suppression teams, Indigenous communities and all the ministry staff who have worked tirelessly to make reopening possible today.”
However, just after 8 p.m. Friday, the province announced the highway had closed again in both directions for 7 kilometers between Cathedral Grove and Koen Road due to high winds. The province says the gusts pose a threat to safety after cranes at the site suspending protective wire mesh had to be lowered, increasing the risk of falling debris.
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It’s unclear how long exactly the stretch of highway will be closed. According to a media release, crews will need several hours to raise the cranes and wire mesh once the winds dissipate.
Highway 4 was closed on June 6 due to the Cameron Bluffs wildfire. That fire is now under control and contained to 229 hectares, but the blaze caused created significant slope instability above the narrow, winding highway along with numerous dangerous trees and damage.
With the road closed, coastal communities were left to rely on a treacherous multi-hour detour via an industrial logging road, limiting supplies and starving businesses and tour operators of revenue at a critical time of year.
That detour will remain available until Highway 4 fully reopens, which was estimated to be some time in mid-July. The province says the reopening will take place in phases as it rolls out protective measures like concrete barriers and mesh curtains to block debris from the road.
Travellers are being advised to expect the following measures while using the route in the coming weeks:
- Single-lane-alternating traffic (SLAT) will be in force around the clock along the Cameron Lake Bluffs section of Highway 4.
- Pilot cars on rotation will lead traffic through the area.
- The length of the SLAT is approximately two kilometres.
- The construction zone speed limit is 30 kilometres per hour.
- SLAT is open to all types of commercial and passenger vehicles, except oversized loads.
- Oversized loads (those requiring permits) must use the detour.
- There is no essential travel recommendation for either route (Highway 4 or the detour).
- Drivers should be prepared for lengthy queues on Highway 4.
- Drivers should continue to be prepared for challenging driving conditions along the detour route.
- Drivers are encouraged to fuel up and take extra supplies, food and water for both routes and will be expected to move through the SLAT on Highway 4 with the pilot cars.
- Vehicles will not be permitted to stop at parks or along roadsides in the area.
- Cyclists will be accommodated through the single-lane-alternating traffic zone, assuming the entire lane and travelling within the group of piloted vehicles.
- No passing will be permitted in the work zone.
- To limit disruptions to traffic flow, tow trucks will be staged at either end of the closure to assist motorists in the event of breakdowns.
- The ministry will continue to monitor the safety of this area for all traffic and will adjust safety measures to conditions.
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