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Malahat to close overnight for 7 days after flooding, BC Ferries stepping in again

Overnight crews to repair Hwy 1 damage caused by recent weather conditions
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The Malahat will close overnight until Nov. 22, the province confirmed on Nov. 16. (Arnold Lim/News Staff)

The Malahat section of Hwy. 1 between West Shore Parkway and Tunnel Hill will be closed in both directions every night from Nov. 16 to 22, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced Tuesday.

According to a release from the ministry, the overnight closures will allow crews to repair damage caused by the recent weather conditions.

READ MORE: Malahat reopening to alternating traffic following safety assessment

On Tuesday (Nov. 16) the Malahat will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Starting Nov. 17, nightly closures will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Monday, Nov. 22.

The Malahat was closed Monday as parts of the highway were flooded or damaged, but was reopened to single-lane alternating traffic Tuesday morning. Drivers are asked to expect major delays during the daytime, and limit travel except for essential purposes.

On Tuesday evening, E-Comm said its Vancouver Island centre was receiving many 911 calls about the closure. E-Comm reminded the public that 911 is not an information line and asked that people contact DriveBC or the Ministry of Transportation if they have questions about the closure.

https://twitter.com/TranBC/status/1460748951049715716

Those seeking alternate routes may take the Pacific Marine route (Hwy. 14) through Sooke, Jordan River and Port Renfrew, or the Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay ferry.

BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall told Black Press Media that BC Ferries is currently gathering staff and crew for a second round of emergency sailings between Mill Bay and Brentwood Bay the evening of Nov. 16. Four additional round-trip sailings have been added between 7:30 p.m. and 11:35 p.m. due to the Malahat closure.

In a media release, BC Ferries explained that while it “would like to provide more service… during the temporary Malahat Highway nightly closures, its larger ships do not fit in the docks at these two minor terminals.”

As the Malahat evening closures continue, the corporation is looking into crew availability for continued emergency sailings. Updates will be available on their website.

READ MORE: BC Ferries sailing through the night between Mill Bay and Brentwood Bay


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