Highway 4 at Cameron Lake Bluff has reopened after closing at 4 p.m. yesterday because sustained, high winds posed safety concerns for cranes suspending protective wire mesh at site.

In high winds, the mesh must be lowered, which puts the site at increased risk of falling debris.

Scheduled daily closures to carry out essential rock scaling work will not begin until 1:30 p.m. today, Monday, July 17, to allow for queued, overnight traffic to move through the site. The highway will remain closed until 5 p.m.

Beginning Tuesday July 18, 2023, the highway will be closed for two periods daily: from 9-11:30 a.m.; and from 1:30-5 p.m. There will be no closures overnight or on weekends, including on the B.C. Day long weekend. This work is required before the highway can be safely reopened to two-way traffic, expected by mid-August.

Commuters can travel through Highway 4 with single-lane-alternating traffic before 9 a.m., as well as during the traffic “flush” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and anytime after 5 p.m. during the week.

Between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., westbound traffic will be flushed. Between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., eastbound traffic will be flushed

Travel on weekends will remain open with single-lane-alternating traffic. Traffic performance will be monitored throughout the period, to see if any additional adjustments are required.

The timing of this work is crucial. Given its complex nature, rock scaling must be completed during good weather, before winds and rains pick up in the fall. Now is the most predictable weather to ensuring this step can be completed as quickly as possible. 

The ministry has done extensive consultation work with the local business community, local governments and First Nations communities in the region. The ministry’s priority is to ensure the supply chain for essential goods and services continues to reach communities.

The detour route between Lake Cowichan and Port Alberni remains open.

For up-to-date information about road conditions, visit: http://www.drivebc.ca/

Images from Highway 4 and the detour route can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/albums/72177720308899528/with/52962540906/