Saturday, February 9, 2019 ~ SOOKE.
[UPDATE 3:30 pm SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10 – the 5100 block is now open, traffic can get through to and from Sooke]
~ West Shore Voice News
Due to trees down in the 5100-block of Highway 14 (Sooke Road), traffic in and out of Sooke has been blocked from about 11 am this morning. Power lines have been pulled down by trees in today’s windstorm, making use of the highway unsafe.
As of 2 pm, no word on reopening. No detour available.
Road conditions are icy today from a 10 cm snowfall yesterday February 8. A wind warning for gusts up to 90 km/hr is in effect for today February 9, which can impact smaller vehicles as well as trees and other debris.
Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop reminds people to not drive if they don’t absolutely need to.
Yesterday, District of Sooke CAO Don Schaffer posted an Inclement Weather Conditions release, reminding residents that it’s not the District but Mainroad South Island on contract that clears roads in the municipal area. That starts with highways and main arterial roadways, then side streets as time permits. [Info: Main Road Contracting, South Island Division 1-877-391-7310]
When through-road access is blocked on Highway 14, Sooke residents are essentially stranded beyond the major commercial areas of the west shore and downtown. It’s become part of the Sooke lifestyle over the years.
And those wish to get into Sooke from the metro area are impeded.
For those in Sooke, the Pacific Marine Circle Route is an alternate route that goes further west on Highway 14 (West Coast Road at that point), all the way to Port Renfrew then down into the Cowichan Valley.
Not today, but depending on the location of a traffic interruption on Sooke Road, Gillespie Road through East Sooke is also available as a detour.
Related news:
Sub-zero temperatures bring on power outages on the west shore
About 10 cm of snow fell in the Greater Victoria area on February 8