For the second time in two days, debris on the roadway at a construction site has closed Highway 4 in both directions. After more than an hour’s delay, DriveBC is reporting single lane alternating traffic with up to 30-minute delays due to congestion.
The highway was closed before 7 p.m., causing a backup all the way to the Ucluelet-Tofino Junction.
Flooding on Kennedy Hill , highway is currently open, check Dive BC for updates. #tofino #ucluelet #bchwy4 #portalberni pic.twitter.com/8IRcR8gGIU
— Van Island District (@TranBCVanIsle) August 2, 2019
The closure comes one day after another that saw truckers, residents and tourists stuck in a lineup for nine hours. Rock blasting being done as part of the provincial and federal government’s $38 million Kennedy Hill Improvement Project caused the delay.
READ: Hwy 4 between Tofino-Ucluelet and the rest of Vancouver Island closed in both directions
The highway was shut down for more than 12 hours on July 9 after blasting loosened more material than construction crews anticipated. Crews had to drill, blast and clear the large boulders and other debris.
READ: Rock blasting debris shuts down highway between Tofino-Ucluelet and rest of Vancouver Island
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Wednesday that a strong Pacific front will drench parts of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland beginning Thursday.
READ ALSO: Heavy rainfall to drench B.C.’s south coast
Showers with a risk of thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected for Friday morning.
susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
