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Highway 19A reopened north of Qualicum Beach

Repair work completed 48 hours after Sunday washout near Cook Creek Road
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The saga of the Highway 19A washout north of Qualicum Beach seems to have come to an end — for now.

The Ministry of Transportation removed all road closure and construction notices for the highway at approximately 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, following the completion of repairs to a cut created by floodwaters 48 hours earlier.

The highway was originally closed when a washout occurred at a culvert at approximately 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, following a day of heavy rainfall in the region. The washout created two large cuts in the bank, on either side of the culvert, and left some pavement buckled.

According to DriveBC, the road was closed in both directions 500 metres north of Cook Creek Road, between Bowser and Fanny Bay.

The MOT said in a written news release issued Nov. 20 that contract crews were at the site throughout Monday, beginning “at first light” for an assessment of the damage and later conducting what were described as “temporary repairs” to restore the stretch of road to driveable condition.

Ministry staff will continue to monitor the culvert “very closely” throughout the winter, and will undertake a permanent repair involving replacement of the culvert next spring or summer, the release stated.

DriveBC initially reported the highway reopened Monday evening, but announced the highway would be closed again Tuesday morning for paving. That was amended in an update made by DriveBC at 7:48 a.m. Tuesday, that said the road would be reduced to single-lane, alternating traffic through 4 p.m. while construction continued at the site.

For updates on driving conditions and road incidents throughout B.C., visit www.drivebc.ca.

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Heavy rainfall washed out an embankment at a culvert under Highway 19A north of Bowser Sunday evening, Nov. 19, forcing the closure of the highway. — Photo submitted by Ministry of Transportation