Thursday, March 28, 2024

8 alternate routes that will get you around the Malahat closure

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Earlier today, an accident involving a fuel truck and a van near Goldstream Provincial Park and Finlayson Arm Road caused authorities to shut down the Malahat.

The Trans-Canada Highway could be closed until 10 PM on Thursday night as a result of a fuel leak during the accident that requires thorough cleanup.

If you’re in town or out of it and are worried about how to get to your next destination, Mainroad Communications has a list of detours and alternate routes that will help you avoid a traffic nightmare.

This list is applicable for detours during any and all incidents on Highway 1 between Victoria and Duncan.

Here are the 8 detours and alternate routes you can take to get home tonight:

Routing via Finlayson Arm Rd

  • Victoria-bound directions:
    When directed, follow Pilot Vehicle along Finalyson Arm Rd for 5 km.
    Turn right onto Millstream Rd, follow to Hwy 1 for 4.8 km
    When you arrive at Hwy 1, turn left to Victoria or go straight along Millstream Rd to Langford.
  • Duncan-bound directions:
    From Hwy 1, head North along Millstream Rd for 4.8 km
    When directed, follow Pilot Vehicle along Finlayson Arm Rd for 5km
    When you arrive at Hwy 1, turn right and keep going til you reach Mill Bay/Duncan

*NOTE: This route is not viable for large vehicles with a wheelbase larger than 6m (20ft). Expect heavy congestion at single lane sections. Drivers will be directed by a pilot vehicle.

Routing via Pacific Marine Circle Route

  • Victoria-bound directions:
    From Hwy 1, head west on Hwy 18 for 27.3km
    Turn left onto South Shore Rd, follow for 8.4km
    Turn left onto Robertson Rd, follow for 50.6km (it turns into Hillcrest Rd and Harris Creek Rd)
    Turn left onto Deering Rd, follow for 3km
    Turn left onto West Coast Rd (Hwy 14), follow for 94.5km (it turns into Sooke Rd)
    Turn left onto Veterans Memorial Parkway, follow for 3.3km
    Arrive at Hwy 1 and turn right for Victoria
  • Duncan/Nanaimo-bound directions:
    From Hwy 1, head south on Hwy 14, (Exit 14) for 3.3km
    Follow signs to Port Renfrew
    In Port Renfrew, turn right onto Deering Rd, follow for 3km
    Turn right onto Harris Creek Rd, follow for 50.6km (it turns into Hillcrest Rd and Robertson Rd)
    Turn right onto South Shore Rd, follow for 8.4km
    Turn right onto Hwy 18 to Duncan, follow for 27.3km
    Arrive at Hwy 1, turn left for Nanaimo, turn right for Duncan

*NOTE: This route has several sharp curves and single lane sections, so drive carefully. Travel time is approximately 3 hours and could be longer depending on weather and amount of traffic congestion.

Routing via Mill Bay Ferry

  • Victoria-bound directions:
    From Hwy 1, head east on Mill Bay Rd
    Follow signs to ferry terminal for 2.6km
    Exit ferry via Verdier Ave and turn right onto West Saanich Rd after 1.3km
    Turn left onto Wallace Dr after 400m
    Turn right onto Mt. Newton X Rd after 3.4km
    Arrive at Hwy 17 after 1.5km, and turn left for airport/Swartz Bay, or turn right for Victoria
  • Duncan-bound directions:
    From Hwy 17, head west to Mt. Newton X Rd for 1.5km
    Turn left, follow Wallace Dr for 3.4km
    Turn right, follow West Saanich Rd for 400m
    Turn left, follow Verdier Rd for 1.3km to ferry terminal
    Exit ferry, turn left onto Mill Bay Rd and follow for 1.8km
    Arrive at Trowsee Dr, turn right for Duncan, keep going straight for Bamberton

*NOTE: This route is no longer viable for today as all ferries are full for the rest of the day.

Route via Salt Spring Island

  • Victoria-bound directions
    From Hwy 1, head East on Henry Rd for 1.4km
    Turn right at Chemainus Rd, follow for 4.2km
    Turn left at Crofton Rd, follow for 4km
    Turn left at Chaplin St and continue 700m to the ferry terminal
    Exit ferry and proceed along Vesuvius Bay Rd for 3.5km
    Turn right onto Lower Ganges Rd, follow for 15.4km (it becomes Fulford-Ganges Rd)
    Follow Fulford Harbour ferry signs
    Exit ferry and proceed along Hwy 17 to Victoria
  • Duncan-bound directions
    Head North on Hwy 17 to the ferry terminal
    Exit ferry, turn left at Fulford-Ganges Rd and follow for 15.4km (it becomes Lower Ganges Rd)
    Turn left at Vesuvius Bay Rd, follow for 3.5km until you reach the ferry
    Exit ferry and proceed along Chaplin Rd for 4.8km (it becomes Crofton Rd)
    Turn left at Henry Rd for 1.4km
    Arrive at Hwy 1, turn left for Duncan, turn Right for Nanaimo

*NOTE: Expect delays due to limited ferry capacity.

Make sure to check Drive BC on Twitter for updates.

mm
Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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