Travelers using River Road can expect delays and detours as work begins this fall on a new roundabout to be installed at the intersection of River Road and Beaver Creek Road in Port Alberni.
For years the intersection, which also involves access to Clutesi Haven Marina, has been troublesome during times of heavy traffic through the Highway 4 corridor. There are no traffic lights at the intersection, making left turns from Beaver Creek Road or the marina onto Highway 4 difficult.
In a statement from MLA Josie Osborne, the new roundabout will improve safety, reduce congestion and make travel easier for residents, marina users and visitors to Vancouver Island’s west coast. Access to Clutesi Haven Marina will be improved with wider, reconfigured entrances to reduce highway congestion and support commercial and recreational fishers.
“New multi-use paths, sidewalks, and bike-friendly shoulders will also make the area safer and more accessible for people walking and cycling,” reads the statement.
A project of the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit, the roundabout was designed in consultation with the City of Port Alberni, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, the Port Alberni Port Authority along with Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations.
“This project aims to improve traffic flow and enhance safety at this critical intersection,” stated the ministry.
Valued at over $8 million, the project’s contract was awarded to Windley Contracting Ltd.
New traffic safety signs are already up around the area as land has been cleared in preparation for the widening of the road. According to MLA Osborne, construction is going into full swing.
“People travelling through Port Alberni will be redirected to a temporary detour through Clutesi Haven Marina parking lot,” she said.
The detour through Clutesi Haven Marina will take up a portion of the large parking lot, but users of the area will continue to have access to the boat launch and the southeast portion of the lot.
In addition to the detour, travellers will see occasional single lane alternating traffic which may occur between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The detour is expected to remain in place until March 2026. The project is expected to be complete in summer 2026.
Updates on project-related road closures or schedules will be posted in advance on www.gov.bc.ca/highway4beavercreek and DriveBC.ca.
