Planning a trip up the Malahat? You might want to check your blood pressure.
BC Day weekend means extra congestion, delays, and stress for Island drivers.
Though weekend traffic on the Malahat is nothing new, it’s not every day that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure issues a press release about it.
“Significantly higher volumes are expected due to long weekend travellers and concert goers attending the Sunfest Country Music Festival in the Cowichan Valley,” the ministry wrote in a statement Thursday morning.
The ministry also announced that they’ll be reopening a second lane to traffic on the to accommodate the increase in Malahat traffic.
Second Lane Will Return Each Summer Weekend
The second northbound lane will open on Thursday, Aug. 3 through to end of day Tuesday, Aug. 8, and Fridays through Sundays for the rest of August.
Motorists are advised to pay close attention to the cones marking the new temporary lanes, watch for changing traffic patterns, and are reminded that the construction speed zone of 60 kilometres per hour is in effect 24/7.
In addition, there will be no traffic stoppages for construction of the Malahat safety improvement project from noon Thursday, Aug. 3 through Tuesday, Aug. 8.
However, this weekend’s increase in traffic volume will still likely create delays along Highway 1 between Victoria and Duncan.
Travellers should plan their trip in advance, allow for extra time on the road, and drive safely.
For up-to-date route information, please visit the DriveBC website: http://www.drivebc.ca/
