Beginning next week, the first section of new concrete median barrier will be installed on the Malahat, improving safety for all motorists that use this route.

Approximately 1.4 kilometres of concrete median barrier will be installed north of Finlayson Arm Road. To make room for the new barrier, the northbound passing lane will be removed.

Work will begin on Monday, July 9, with the majority of construction happening overnight between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. to keep traffic disruptions to a minimum. When work is required during the day, one lane will always remain open in both directions. The project is scheduled to be completed by July 13.

Motorists are advised to use caution during the barrier installation and obey the posted construction zone speed limit.

The installation of this section of median barrier will cost approximately $250,000. This is part of the government of British Columbia's $8 million commitment to additional concrete median barrier and other safety improvements on the Malahat.

Five sections of new concrete median barrier, totalling 5.4 km, will be added to the Malahat by spring 2013. When complete, over 40 per cent of the Malahat corridor will be separated with median barrier.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom -

"We'll have the first new section of barrier in place on the Malahat by mid-July, making this section of highway a lot safer for local residents and the many visitors to Southern Vancouver Island."

"This is just the start of our government's commitment to safety improvements on the Malahat, with more work to the highway coming over the next year, and I thank motorists for their patience during construction."

Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong -

"The installation of the centre median barrier is a key step in our government's commitment to improve safety on the Malahat corridor. I look forward to seeing further improvements completed over the next year, making the Malahat safer for South Island residents and visitors alike."

Saanich North and the Islands MLA Murray Coell -

"The Malahat corridor is a highway that South Island residents depend on and our government is dedicated to ensuring the corridor is as safe as possible. This project is just the first of a number of improvements that will be made to the Malahat over the next year, which will benefit all users of the highway."

Quick Facts:

• The Malahat is the section of Highway 1 located between the West Shore Parkway and the Bamberton Overpass.
• The Malahat is approximately 20 kilometres long and currently has three kilometres of median barrier.
• On average, over 22,300 vehicles travel the Malahat daily.

Learn More:

For a map of the improvements to the Malahat, visit: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/malahat/docs/Malahat_Safety_Improvement_Projects_MAP.pdf

The Malahat Corridor Safety Review report is available on the ministry's website at:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/reports_and_studies/Malahat_Highway_Safety_Improvements_201203.pdf

Learn more about the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: www.tranbc.ca

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241