Hwy. 4 road work from Sept. brought the highway down to a single-lane of alternating traffic along this stretch. (EAC Hwy 4 Kennedy Hill Project Updates/Facebook)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

3 nights of delays

More overnight delays coming for Kennedy Hill section of Hwy. 4

Nov 17, 2022 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — More overnight closures are coming to a busy highway, under construction for almost four years.

The roughly 1.5 kilometre Kennedy Hill section of Hwy. 4 east of Tofino and Ucluelet will be closed overnight starting Thursday, Nov. 17 through Saturday, Nov. 19 between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night.

These closures will allow crews to place some of the final girders and deck panels along the road surface.

Unlike in previous overnight closures, there will be no release of lined-up traffic during these hours, but emergency vehicles will still be allowed to pass.

Travellers are asked to plan ahead and follow all signs and directions from traffic control personnel while in the area.

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Drivers can go to DriveBC.ca for all the up-to-date information.

The provincial government previously said the project is set for substantial completion this fall and ends an upgrade fraught with challenges.

The project was originally set for completion in mid-2020, however, a series of setbacks, including complications linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, delayed work.

On Jan. 22, 2020, blasting activities sent a large amount of rock onto the road, unexpectedly severing Tofino and Ucluelet’s lifeline to Vancouver Island.

A temporary bridge was installed to return access to the communities a few days later, however shortages of gas and fresh food stressed area residents.

Costs have increased as well, with latest projections estimating a $54 million price tag, up from the original $38.1 million.

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