Hwy 4 to remain closed at least another week due to wildfire: Ministry

It looks like Highway 4 on Vancouver Island will be closed for at least another week due to an ongoing wildfire, according to Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.

In a news release from the ministry, it says the highway “is expected to open to limited travel as early as the weekend of June 24-25.”

“Assessment of dangerous trees and slope stability is ongoing with work underway to eventually allow traffic to safely traverse the affected section along Highway 4 at Cameron Lake Bluffs,” the release reads.

The ministry adds that a temporary load-bearing wall is being constructed along the eastbound lane of the highway to help protect drivers from “potential falling debris. A “protective mesh suspended by cranes” will also act as a barrier for falling rocks.

However, those looking to travel on the highway will likely be faced with long wait times. It adds only one lane is expected to open with alternating traffic.

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It may take even longer for the highway to reopen at full capacity, as a ministry operations specialist says it will likely take until mid-July to get back to normal.

“Safety for people driving the highway is the top priority. The roadway will reopen only when it is safe for drivers,” the release adds.

Janelle Staite, the deputy director of the ministry, says there are concerns about debris falling onto the highway.

“We are having concerns around danger trees falling onto the highway. Small and medium-sized rocks continue to fall onto the highway. Even as of today, we are seeing rocks the size of coffee mugs coming down onto the highway, so some significant hazards that our team needs to be aware of,” she said.

The detour that is in place will continue for the time being, Staite adds that 12 Porta Potties that are now on the remote route, and says water trucks are continually there to help control the dust.

Read more: Highway 4 detour reopens, government now piloting truck convoys

Staite says that as the phased reopening of the highway begins, she is urging people to be mindful before heading out.

“This still needs to be an essential traffic only. Folks really need to consider whether or not that trip to and from the West Coast is critical or whether or not it can wait,” she said. 

The highway has been closed since June 6 due to the Cameron Bluffs wildfire, largely cutting off access to Port Alberni, Tofino, and Ucluelet.