Highway 4 At Cameron Bluffs Partially Reopens

Highway 4 at Cameron Bluffs partially reopened to traffic Wednesday after strong winds forced the road to stay fully closed overnight, according to B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Construction crews are on site repairing damage caused by a now under-control 229 hectares wildfire at the bluffs that closed the highway for weeks in June.

The ministry says starting today, the daily closures will resume from 9-11:30 a.m. and from 1:30-5 p.m. for rock-scaling work.

Single-lane westbound traffic can pass through between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., while single-lane eastbound traffic can move from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Highway 4 has been hit by a series of challenges since a complete shutdown on June 6 due to the Cameron Bluffs fire near Port Alberni.

The roadway reopened to single-lane alternate traffic last month, then closed again mid-July due to high winds.

Rock-scaling efforts have been repeatedly delayed due to high winds, creating problems for commuters who rely on the highway.

It is the only paved route to Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino.

On Thursday, the province will resume the planned closures from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. so rock-scaling work can continue.

There will be no closures overnight or on weekends, including on the B.C. Day long weekend in August.

The closures are scheduled to be in place until mid-August.