UPDATE: Highway 17 reopened at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday.
The Patricia Bay Highway was closed between the Swartz Bay ferry terminal and Keating Cross Road following more than 12 collisions in the area caused by winter road conditions.
Pat Bay Hwy from Swartz Bay Ferry terminal to Keating Cross Rd. is currently closed. Poor weather conditions have caused at least 12 collisions today. Stay safe out there & make alternative plans.
— Sidney/N.S. RCMP (@SidneyRCMP) February 11, 2019
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Earlier on Sunday, RCMP closed Highway 1 both directions between West Shore Parkway and Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay Road to allow for the removal of stuck vehicles and for the passage of snow plows.
A number of motorists were stuck or in ditches on the Malahat as snow piled up on the highway.
MainRoads operations manager Chris Cowley said crews are working to remove vehicles and a jackknifed transport truck blocking the route from snow plows.
RCMP, CVSE, Ministry of Transportation and MainRoads crews are all on scene.
Cowley estimated the passage to reopen in two to three hours.
West Shore RCMP confirmed there were at least three cars stuck or in the ditch on the Malahat, some who attempted to cross the mountain pass with summer tires.
The Malahat reopened at approximately 7:30 p.m. There are no injuries reported at this time.
A video taken by Danno Zarek on the Malahat shows snowy, slushy road conditions. Zarek said south bound lanes past Mill Bay were stalled due to the weather in the early afternoon. He spotted some cars in the ditch and others stopped in the road.
Up to 10 centimetres of snow is forecasted for the region.
nina.grossman@blackpress.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
