Rock debris has fallen from Cameron Bluffs, but has been caught by a barrier in place. Regardless, crews must clean up prompting a brief closure on Thursday. (BC Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

rocky road

Temporary closure planned Thursday for Hwy. 4 to remove debris

Dec 6, 2023 | 2:43 PM

NANAIMO — Fallen debris is continuing to cause headaches for travellers along Hwy. 4 at Cameron Lake.

Following a wildfire in June and subsequent highway closures through much of the summer, the province will shut traffic again on Thursday, Dec. 7 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to collect and remove rock which fell during stormy conditions earlier in the week.

“The minor rockslide was completely intercepted by the rock-fall mitigation barrier and fencing,” the ministry of transportation said in a statement. “The ministry’s geotechnical engineers evaluated the site and determined travel remained safe.”

No detour will be in place during the closure, with both east and westbound traffic shut down.

Equipment will be used to travel the length of the work site, a roughly two-kilometre stretch.

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The province says no further closures are planned, but has maintained since the roadway re-opened in August periodic closures may be required if debris falls as a result of weather.

Additional monitoring is automatically put in place during high-wind events.

The Cameron Bluffs wildfire sent rock and other debris onto the roadway in early June, prompting a full closure for two weeks and a four-hour detour being established through Lake Cowichan.

In total, 250 dangerous trees and 1,000 tonnes of rock debris were removed over the summer.

Single-lane alternating traffic had been in place for most of the summer, occasionally closing for more invasive work or weather events such as strong wind.

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