Highway 4 to intermittently close for rock-scaling work

Vancouver Island’s Highway 4 will intermittently shut down starting on July 17 so crews can perform rock-scaling work.

The mainline route to Port Alberni, Ucluelet, and Tofino initially closed on June 6 due to complications related to the Cameron Bluffs Fire, which was burning on the cliffs above. The highway opened to single-lane alternating traffic on June 24 after extensive work was done to keep any debris from falling onto the road.

(B.C. Ministry of Transportation Image)

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says it will have the route closed for work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays up until mid-August, with a brief opening between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

“This is a crucial step to ensure Highway 4 can fully reopen as soon as possible, end single-lane-alternating traffic, and keep goods and people moving into our western communities,” said Minister Rob Fleming.

“We know this has been a challenging time for businesses and the tourism sector on the west coast of Vancouver Island, and we thank people for their patience as we work as quickly as possible to get this main corridor safely operating at full capacity again.”

Read more:

• Vancouver Island’s Highway 4 partially reopens

• Mayor of Port Alberni ‘thrilled’ with progress reopening Highway 4

Outside of the closures, the ministry says only single-lane alternating traffic will be allowed.