Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, has issued the following statement:

"As minister responsible for our provincial highways, I have called for a review of the closure of Highway 1 on Vancouver Island this past weekend.

"The crash which forced the closure of the highway was a serious one, posing a threat to public safety and the environment. Our first priority is always public safety as the diesel and gasoline involved were highly flammable.

"I have listened to the concerns of the public, which have been reinforced by my colleagues Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley; and Ron Cantelon, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum. I fully understand the impact that this closure on the Malahat had on families and businesses up and down the Island. I am calling for this review so we can learn from it and improve on how we keep the public informed throughout any future emergencies.

"This review will build on the internal audit that Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has already begun, and will focus on the speed at which alternate routes were established, and on the communication to the travelling public.

"I have asked the assistant deputy minister for highways, Dave Duncan, to undertake this review. I have asked him to work with the various agencies and stakeholder groups involved and to report back to me by May 13. After a review of the recommendations by the ministry and our partner agencies, I will make this review public."

Contact:

Jeff Knight

Communications Manager

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

250 356-7707

250 480-9339 (cell)

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