Whereas on June 6, 2023, Highway 4 was closed at Cameron Lake Bluff, near Koen Road, due to a wildfire, and that a detour route from Port Alberni through Lake Cowichan via Bamfield, using forest-service and privately owned industrial roads was established by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure MOTI on Wednesday, July 7, 2023, and was actively maintained until August 31, 2023; And whereas the highway closure that occurred between June 6, 2023, and August 31, 2023, resulted in significant negative impacts on our residents health, safety, and well-being, and it had devastating economic impacts resulting in the loss of jobs and permanent closure of local businesses, and that similar communities having only one access road in and out of their community experienced similar negative impacts during emergency activations: Therefore be it resolved that AVICC and UBCM request the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness work with communities, that have only one access road in and out of their community, to ensure the permanent establishment and maintenance of alternative or emergency transportation routes for use in the event of an emergency; And be it further resolved that UBCM request the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, coordinate with the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, and appropriate local governments to conduct an inventory of active forestry roads that could be maintained for emergency evacuation purposes, and that the roads meeting the criteria for emergency evacuation purposes be maintained for these purposes by the Province in perpetuity.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit The Ministry of Transportation and Transit collaborates with other ministries during emergency events, ensuring coordinated efforts to protect the people of British Columbia from disasters such as wildfires. This inter-ministerial approach strengthens preparedness and response strategies, helping mitigate risks and maintain critical infrastructure. The ministry actively engages with partner ministries, local governments, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders to plan for possible disruptions. Part of this planning involves assessing alternative access routes, determining the most feasible options for communities in affected regions. Currently, the ministry is conducting a study to explore alternative routes to Highway 4 in the event of an emergency. This report is expected to be completed by summer, providing valuable insights for future contingency planning. Safety remains the ministrys top priority and concerns from the public are always at the forefront of decision-making, ensuring that unplanned closures are managed effectively and roadways are restored as quickly and safely as possible.