Thursday May 26, 2022 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated May 27, 2022]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Permanent repairs to the Malahat Tunnel Hill segment of Highway 1 will begin soon, improving safety and reliability for the more than 35,000 travellers and commuters along the corridor daily.
“This first contract award for permanent repairs following last fall’s catastrophic flooding marks an important milestone as the province continues to build back better,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI).
Flooding occurred mid-November 2021, during an exceptionally powerful atmospheric river event.
“The Malahat is a critical connection for residents, businesses, emergency services and the transportation of goods between the mid-Island and the Capital Region. This project ensures safety for drivers and increases resiliency during future extreme climate events.”
The Malahat section of Highway 1 is within the municipality of Langford.
One-year project:
The $14.9-million contract for the project has been finalized and awarded to Nanaimo-based Windley Contracting Ltd.
Work is slated to start this summer and includes restoring approximately 50 metres of the northbound lane north of Finlayson Arm Road, and repairing damage to existing drainage and slope stability.
An 80-metre retaining wall will also be replaced to secure the slope against future extreme rain events.
Getting the work done:
- MOTI says that all efforts will be made to complete work during the night where possible to maintain traffic movement in both directions during daytime travel hours.
- Advance notice of any traffic disruptions, including possible periods of single-lane alternating traffic and short, intermittent full closures, will be provided. Drivers are reminded to drive for the conditions, use caution and expect delays.
- Up-to-date traffic notifications will be posted to www.driveBC.ca
Construction is expected to finish in summer 2023, said MOTI in a news release today.
===== GOVERNMENT LINKS:
Information on Highway 1 Malahat-Tunnel Hill repair project
Information on all 2021 flood-recovery projects
===== RELATED:
Traffic: Malahat overnight April 6 (April 6, 2022)
Langford Traffic: in-town and Malahat (April 5, 2022)
All good on the Malahat, says Fleming (December 9, 2021)
Malahat update: no overnight closures as cleanup continues (November 18, 2021)
===== TRAFFIC INFO:
Drive BC – Tunnel Hill Malahat webcam (24/7)
Island Social Trends – traffic updates – includes webcam for Hwy 1 & West Shore Pkwy (24/7)