After more than two weeks of closure, Highway 4 on Vancouver Island will reopen at 3 pm today.
The highway will operate with single-lane-alternating traffic at Cameron Lake Bluffs to keep travellers safe and accommodate safety measures to minimize the hazard of falling debris as the slope continues to recover from the effects of wildfire.
Highway 4 will be open to residents, travellers and commercial traffic. The ministry urges all drivers to use patience as traffic queues are expected to be extensive.
The detour will remain available until Highway 4 fully reopens. The ministry will continue to monitor traffic flow and safety through the site to determine if any further restrictions are warranted.
The highway will have a phased opening, with successful mitigation efforts – such as installation of a temporary concrete barrier wall and protective mesh curtains – acting as barricades to potential falling debris. A full reopening is expected in July.
The highway has been closed since June 6, 2023, to keep travellers safe as crews fought the Cameron Lake Bluffs wildfire and performed recovery operations. A detour was established between Port Alberni and Lake Cowichan using forest-service and privately owned industrial roads.
Drivers are reminded to respect the direction of traffic-control personnel in the area.
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