Highway 4 reopens two weeks after closure due to forest fire

PORT ALBERNI, B.C.— Highway 4 on Vancouver Island has reopened after more than two weeks of closures due to a forest fire.

Hazards are still prevalent from the fire and the province will keep the road operating as single-lane-alternating traffic (SLAT) to minimize danger as a damaged slope recovers, according to a news release.

A detour will remain open until the highway is fully functional again.

The SLAT traffic is roughly two kilometres long and pilot cars will lead traffic through the area at a maximum speed of 30 kilometres per hour.

The province is recommending that drivers fuel up and bring extra supplies including water for both routes as delays can be lengthy and the detour poses “challenging driving conditions.”

“On behalf of the City of Port Alberni, we are incredibly grateful to the firefighters, highway crews and all professionals who have worked to get our highway safely reopened,” said Mayor of Port Alberni Sharie Minions in the release.

“It has been a difficult few weeks, reflecting just how critical this connection is to our daily lives.”