Update: February 9, 2019 5:25pm
The Ministry of Transportation and BC Hydro have now reported that Sooke Road at the 5100 block is OPEN to single lane alternating traffic. Prepare for delays now that the road is open as traffic will be slow moving. No timeline for opening 2 way traffic. Detour route will be Sooke Road to Gillespie or Kangaroo; to East Sooke Road; to Rocky Point; to Happy Valley Road. Please travel only if necessary due to weather warnings and drive detoured routes with caution.
Update: February 9, 2019 3:20pm
BC Hydro crews are commencing repairs to the hydro pole and lines at 5194 Sooke Road. This section of Hwy 14 is estimated to be open at approximately 5:00pm, to single-lane, alternating traffic. A detour along Gillespie, East Sooke, Rocky Point and Happy Valley Road will be in place due to other closures along Hwy 14. MainRoad is currently salting and sanding the detour route. Multiple road closures continue along Hwy 14 west of Sooke.
Original Post: February 9, 2019 2:00pm
The District of Sooke is experiencing multiple incidents due to winter conditions. Emergency responders have been responding to simultaneous incidents in the community since yesterday morning, including: downed hydro lines, trees on lines, power outages, public assistance, MVI’s and road closures. The District has activated a Level 2 Emergency Operations Centre to support incident command.
Hyw 14 is currently closed in both directions with no detour. BC Hydro and the Ministry of Transportation are both onsite at 5194 Sooke Road/Hwy 14 (near Manzer Road) assessing the damage to the hydro pole and lines. It is estimated that the road will be closed for another two hours, minimum – and may be single lane traffic only. Gillespie Road is currently closed; Hwy 14 is also reported to be closed at Slegg Lumber at 2901 Sooke Road, in Langford; as well as a closure between Humpback Road and Slegg Lumber – no current detours are available. To the west of Sooke, multiple road closures have been reported, outside of the District boundary, blocking the Marine Circle Route.
Updates will be shared as soon as available. Further information and updates can found in the following locations:
Sooke Emergency Program Facebook
Media Contact:
Julie Barlow, Information Officer
District of Sooke Emergency Operations Centre
Tel: (250) 642-5422
Email: jbarlow@sooke.ca