Construction will begin in April on the Highway 4-Kennedy Hill Safety Improvement project. Photo courtesy Government of B.C.
Community feedback has led to changes to the traffic-stoppage schedule as construction starts next month for safety improvements on Highway 4 at Kennedy Hill, adjacent to Kennedy Lake.
The 1.5-kilometre project is located 14 km northeast of the Tofino/Ucluelet Highway 4 junction, with changes including widening of the road, removing blind corners, reducing the grade of the hill, rock slope stabilization and slope meshing and the revision of a rest area with viewpoint to use a portion of the abandoned old highway.
Map of the location of the safety improvement project on Highway 4 at Kennedy Hill, adjacent to Kennedy Lake. Photo courtesy Government of B.C.
Traffic-stoppage schedule changes include the first nighttime window starting at 10 p.m. year-round, with the exception of Friday nights with the first stoppage at 1 a.m. Saturday mornings.
The nighttime stoppage window will close at 7 a.m. year-round.
There will be three changeable message signs added for eight total along the corridor and a brochure will be developed with travel information.
The transportation ministry saw more than 130 people attend information sessions in Tofino and Ucluelet Jan. 23 and 24.
The ministry says the adjustments to the traffic-stoppage schedule will provide more consistency for travel planning and help accommodate evening ferry schedules.
Slow-moving vehicle staging areas are being considered and traffic control personnel will be placed near Port Alberni and the Highway 4 junction to provide better traffic flow if needed.
The total project cost is estimated at $38.1 million, with the provincial government covering $24.6 million and $13.5 million from Ottawa.
The original estimate was $30 million but was raised because of unique challenges of the location, the complex excavation of the high bluff and the traffic-management requirements.
The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2020.
Andy Neal
