The ministry of transportation hopes to see the road connecting Port Alberni to Bamfield re-opened by the end of October.
Since Aug. 11, the road has been closed due to safety concerns from the Mount Underwood fire and the damage it caused to the area. There is a 1.5-kilometre section of road where unstable slopes, dangerous trees and debris are risks. Work to clear that debris is underway while crews assess and fall dangerous trees.
A geotechnical assessment was completed and the ministry is creating operating guidelines that will establish rain and wind thresholds for increiased patrols and pre-emptive closures. A weather station and closure gates will be installed in the near future.
Concrete barriers are still in place with signs alerting drivers to the closure points. Drivers who need to travel to Bamfield must use the Youbou Road detour, an industrial road with poor surface conditions. People are asked to exercise caution and avoid travel at night if unfamiliar with the route.
The road has restricted travel to Bamfield, which is now only accessible by air, water and the wide detour. This is cutting off residents of the area from accessing things like health care in Port Alberni.
Ambulances are not able to travel on the Bamfield Main Road, meaning patients will be transported via the Youbou Road by land, BCEHS has said they are able to work with other organizations to get patients to a hospital by air if needed.
The road is managed by several organizations including the province and Mosaic Forest Management, the province has taken the lead on the road recovery.
Discovered on Aug. 11, the Mount Underwood grew to over 3,500 hectares at its height and put evacuation orders in place for areas like campgrounds, Port Alberni had an evacuation alert in place on the southern part of town. The fire is now classified by BC Wildfire Service as under control and many evacuations were rescinded as crews continue to mop up the remaining hot spots.
When the road does eventually re-open, it may be subject to closures in windy conditions.
