A stretch of Highway 19 on north Vancouver Island is fully closed for several weeks, meaning commuters must detour to get to communities like Port McNeill and Port Hardy.
A notice from B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure says the highway 21 kilometres north of Woss is now closed in both directions as crews replace a failed culvert about nine metres underground.
The around-the-clock closure started Monday, Aug. 21, when a full-time, 2.5-kilometre detour along forestry roads parallel to the highway opened. It’s accessible for all traffic, including oversized loads, according to the ministry.
It says the culvert intercepts the highway at Reload Railway South Overpass, and crews will also excavate and repair a sinkhole at that part of the road.
“Travellers should expect delays while work is underway. Drivers are reminded to respect traffic-control personnel, who will direct traffic toward the detour,” reads the notice.
“The work must be completed during optimal weather, before fall rains.”
DriveBC says the project wraps up Friday, Sept. 15. More information is online here.
Ethan Morneau
