Thursday, March 28, 2024

Four lanes now open on the Malahat as safety improvement project wraps up

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More than 65% of the Malahat through the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) is now protected with a median barrier and the new lanes are now open.

Five kilometres of Highway 1 between Shawnigan Lake Road to Aspen Road are now four-laned with wider shoulders.

“Thank you to the contractor and workers for getting this vital project completed,” said Premier John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “And thank you to the travelling public for your patience while this project proceeded.”

The $34-million Malahat Village Safety Improvements that have been completed include:

  • expanding five kilometres of highway to four lanes with wider shoulders
  • installing three kilometres of median barrier
  • providing improved and safer highway access through a frontage and backage road system with a new turnaround facility, and improved overhead lighting at intersections

The province announced it is now exploring building an additional 1.5 kilometres of median barriers north of the West Shore Parkway to just north of Finlayson Arm Road. Engineering work is scheduled to start early in 2019.

Horgan said the province will also continue to look at options to keep traffic moving when accidents occur on the Malahat/Goldstream section.

“We all know that the Malahat shuts down when there are accidents, cutting the South Island off,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This is an important route and people expect their lives will not be put on hold because of a road closure. We are working expeditiously on short- and long-term solutions.”

The minister has directed staff to explore the viability of a second route around the Malahat in case of an emergency. The ministry is analyzing the scope, location and size of this potential emergency route.​

Some Lane Closures Planned in October

Motorist should be prepared for sporadic lane closures from Shawnigan Lake Road to Aspen Road during the month of October, to make minor adjustments and for site cleanup.

24,000 motorists use the highway every day between Victoria and Duncan and that number increases to about 30, 000 vehicles during busy summer travel months.

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Victoria Buzz Staffhttps://www.victoriabuzz.com
Your inside source for Greater Victoria happenings. Established in 2012.

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