Summary

• Safety fencing on the Highway 1 median will reduce mid-block pedestrian crossings
• Nighttime construction will begin Feb. 1, 2026, with project completion anticipated in late spring 2026

__________

Nighttime construction will begin Sunday, February 1, 2026, on safety upgrades along Highway 1 in North Cowichan.  

New fencing and median improvements will help reduce unsafe mid‑block crossings near Quw’utsun Secondary school and improve safety for pedestrians.

What the project includes

Hazelwood Construction Services Inc. has been awarded a $2.5-million contract to install a 1.8‑metre high pedestrian‑exclusion fence along a 700‑metre long stretch of Highway 1 between Beverly Street and James Street/York Road. This part of Highway 1 has no mid‑block crossings, and fencing will help guide people to safer, signalized intersections.

Work also includes building a continuous landscaped median and permanently closing all remaining left‑turn bays to support safer pedestrian movement and more predictable traffic flow.

What people can expect during construction

Construction will take place mainly overnight to reduce daytime impacts. Drivers, pedestrians and cyclists should expect lane closures between 8 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. from Sunday night through Friday morning, along with reduced speed limits through the work zone. There may be occasional delays near Beverly Street and James Street/York Road, as well as temporary pedestrian detours around active work areas.

Learn More:

• To learn more about the project, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/other-transportation-projects/north-cowichan-safety-improvements