Crews conducted extensive work to repair the Malahat Hwy. on southern Vancouver Island during the first of many overnight closures on Tuesday, Nov. 16. (BC Transportation)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

CARGO SAILINGS

BC Ferries reconnecting south and central Island with cargo sailings to bypass Malahat

Nov 17, 2021 | 1:34 PM

NANAIMO — BC Ferries are taking steps to get commercial goods flowing again on Vancouver Island.

Transportation minister Rob Fleming made the announcement during a briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 17.

“BC Ferries here on the coast is adding sailings for cargo out of Duke Point to Swartz Bay to connect the south Island with the mid and north Island, as well as extra sailings on the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay route while work begins to fully open the Malahat Hwy.”

The Coastal Celebration will leave Swartz Bay at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18, arriving three hours later in Duke Point. A return sailing will depart Nanaimo at 4 p.m.

Passengers, both walk on and vehicle, will be permitted on board with fares set at the same rate as a crossing between Tsawwassen and Duke Point.

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BC Ferries are also adding four additional round trips on Wednesday, Nov. 17 between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay.

Work continues to stabilize the Malahat Hwy. after rainfall and floodwaters triggered a slide, damaging the road.

Crews implemented overnight closures for upwards of 12 hours at a time, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 16.

“The overnight closures were successful last night, single-lane alternating traffic open in daylight hours and for the next five and if necessary six evenings, there will be closures at night,” Fleming said.

The province issued a state of emergency on Wednesday, primarily for areas of the Lower Mainland and Interior, which sustained a majority of the damage and flooding.

Parts of Abbotsford near the Sumas River remain underwater, while several key highways are closed, effectively cutting off Vancouver from the rest of mainland B.C.

Other communities such as Hope also remain isolated, with crews working to get traffic going again as soon as possible.

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