Humpback Road has been re-opened to local residents to help alleviate traffic woes as construction continues on the Malahat throughout the summer.
According to Michelle Mahovlich, the City of Langford’s director of engineering, the Island Corridor Foundation approved the City’s request to open the road until the end of the summer or early fall.
“It’s really meant to serve the local residents so they have another way to get home if the Malahat backs up,” Mahovlich said.
“When the Malahat backs up, the left hand turn lane onto West Shore Parkway backs up and it blocks the round about on Amy Road. That happened a couple of weeks ago and the residents had a hard time getting home.”
RELATED: Two people injured in crash on Malahat
RELATED: Car accident on the Malahat leaves 1 dead, 2 in critical condition
There have been two incidents on the Malahat in the last month that resulted in significant delays for drivers.
The first on Thursday, May 24 involving a small fuel truck and a passenger van.
The second took place on Saturday in which a minivan collided with another vehicle near Aspen Road. One person is dead and two others are in critical condition. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.
But Mahovlich said the road is not intended to be used by other drivers as a cut through if there is a crash on the Malahat.
“It’s the same access point to the Malahat. It’s really to help residents get back to their homes if the West Shore Parkway backs up,” she said, adding the road allows parents to pick up their children at Willway Elementary school for example.
“You don’t get any advantage on the Malahat. It’s just for local people to get home.”
RELATED: Final section of West Shore Parkway opens
Humpback Road was originally closed in October when the City opened West Shore Parkway, as part of an agreement with the Island Corridor Foundation.
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