Traffic is once again clear on the highway into Tofino and Ucluelet after a third rockslide this month alone.
Drivers headed to the popular tourist destinations for the B.C. Day long weekend have faced delays along Highway 4 because of rockslides blocking the way, caused by construction in the area.
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 highway closed sometime before 7 p.m. on Thursday at Kennedy Hill, causing a backup all the way to the Ucluelet-Tofino Junction. After more than an hour, it reopened to single-lane alternating traffic with up to 30-minute delays, under heavy rain.
It’s the second such closure in two days. On Wednesday, truckers, tourists and locals alike were stuck for nine hours when rock-blasting caused more debris to fall and shut the highway.
Crews are working on a $38-million highway improvement project.
READ: Hwy 4 to Tofino-Ucluelet closed in both directions
Earlier this month, the highway was blocked both ways for more than 12 hours, on July 9, after blasting loosened more debris than crews anticipated, causing them to drill, blast and clear large boulders and other detritus to clear the road.
READ: Rock-blasting debris shuts down highway to Tofino-Ucluelet
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. Showers with a risk of thunderstorms and gusty winds were expected Friday morning.
READ ALSO: Heavy rainfall to drench B.C.’s south coast
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