WATCH: As construction on the Malahat continues, the Trans-Canada Highway continues to be no stranger to congestion, especially during holiday weekends where traffic jams are pretty much a sure thing. But as Luisa Alvarez tells us, commuters may get a bit of a break this long weekend with a second northbound lane opening just in time to offer some relief.
Commuters on the Malahat were pleasantly surprised Wednesday morning to see a second northbound lane open just in time for May long weekend.
Construction began last year on the $34 million project to upgrade and expand the stretch from Aspen Road to Shawnigan Lake Road to four lanes.
“I have lived in the middle of this construction zone for months,” said a nearby resident who goes by the name Mcdonald.
“And I don’t want anything to do with it.”
The freshly painted lines were finished overnight allowing for the second lane to open just after 9 a.m. Wednesday morning.
But the opening of the second lane is only temporary and will only be open on weekends during peak hours.
“The second northbound lane will be open Friday afternoons through Sunday evenings on non-holiday weekends. Future long weekends will see two northbound lanes and one southbound lane from Friday afternoons through Monday evenings” said the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in an email.
Commuters on the Malahat Wednesday are optimistic the lane opening will help relieve some traffic congestion especially just days away from May long weekend.
“Its just been terrible so that’s a really good thing to get that thing open,” said Neil Montgomery.
“Anything will help it’s better than sitting in traffic for three hours,” said Bill Murray.
Travellers should still expect an approximately 20-minute delay and are reminded to adhere to the posted construction speed limit at all times.
The projects completion date is still set for the end of summer.
Luisa Alvarez
