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Travel advisory:
Highway 17 Closures - Keating Cross Road Overpass Project - July 25, 29 and August 7, 2024
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Posted on: Friday, July 19, 2024
Highway 17 Closures
Keating Cross Road Overpass Project
Victoria to Swartz Bay
July 25, 29 and August 7, 2024
Patricia Bay Highway (Hwy 17) between Victoria and Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island will be temporarily closed from Tanner Road to Island View Road due to the Keating Cross Road Overpass Project during the noted times on the following dates:
Scheduled Highway Closures
|
Thursday, |
Monday, |
Wednesday, |
|
10:00 pm – 6:00 am |
8:00 pm – 6:00 am |
10:00 pm – 6:00 am |
Customers looking to travel to or from Swartz Bay terminal during closure times will be impacted and should plan their travel accordingly. A detour will be in effect via Central Saanich Road. Customers should be prepared for a 15-20 minute delay as a result.
Those using transit to Swartz Bay are strongly advised to take earlier bus departures because of the detour. Additional information is available online at: https://alerts.bctransit.com/RouteAlertsDetail/45/70/724.
For more information, please check the Keating Cross Overpass Project website here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/other-transportation-projects/highway-17-keating-cross-overpass.
For up-to-date sailing and departure information, check Current Conditions, follow @BCFerries on X, or phone 1-888-223-3779 for further assistance.
OVERVIEW
Drive to Port Alberni for a variety of activities and attractions. Close to Barkley Sound, Clayoquot Sound and the Pacific Rim National Park, Port Alberni is the perfect base for exploring the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Top things to do
Credit: CC Image courtesy of GoToVan on Flickr
Hike or bike
Hike, bike or birdwatch along the trails at Stamp River Provincial Park, the Alberni Inlet Trail or the Log Train Trail along an abandoned train track into the Alberni Valley.
Credit: Lyndon Cassell
Discover local history
Step back in time to discover the history of BC’s forest industry at a restored sawmill at McLean Mill National Historic Site.
Visit the Maritime Discovery Centre
Learn about the rich maritime history of Port Alberni at the Maritime Discovery Centre.
Credit: CC Image courtesy of Rick McCharles on Flickr
Enjoy water activities
Swim, water-ski, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, kiteboard, or fish in the crystal clear waters of Sproat Lake Provincial Park or off the beach near China Creek campground.
Discover the BC Ale Trail
Visit local craft breweries such as Twin City Brewing, Dog Mountain Brewing, and Alberni Brewing Company.
Nearby cities
Parksville
Drive 30 minutes north from Nanaimo to visit Parksville, offering long sandy beaches, lots of water sports, and plenty of arts and crafts to suit all tastes. Known as Canada's Riviera, Parksville is the perfect destination for romantic getaways and family fun.
Tofino
Explore Tofino and the majestic beauty of Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The village of Tofino has a laid-back surfers vibe, with a wide selection of restaurants and lots of wildlife watching and storm watching opportunities. The surrounding area is made up of lush, old-growth forests and expansive white sandy beaches. This incredible area is the perfect starting point for exhilarating activities, like coldwater surf lessons or kayaking, or relaxing getaways.
Ucluelet
Escape to Ucluelet to enjoy a quiet town on a peninsula adjacent to Pacific Rim National Park, and just 30 minutes from Tofino. You can explore the rainforest along the coast, watch wildlife like whales and sea lions swimming in the area, and visit nearby white sandy beaches.
Nanaimo
Take the ferry from Vancouver to visit Nanaimo—the second-largest city on Vancouver Island, with plenty of outdoor activities and adventures for everyone, situated along one of the most beautiful waterfronts in Canada.
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