North Cowichan is entering a busy road work season, including two significant projects that will see the closure of Herd Road between Bell McKinnon and Lakes Roads beginning May 20. This section of Herd Road will remain open to local traffic (via alternate routes) however through traffic will be required to detour. Bell McKinnon Road south of Herd Road will be closed to traffic. The closures will continue until mid-October.
A roundabout at Bell McKinnon and Herd Roads is being constructed as part of the Cowichan District Hospital replacement project. Earlier phases of roadwork in this area included installing underground utilities that will support the hospital and surrounding future development.
The second project is the replacement of the Herd Road bridge deck at Richards Creek. This will include minor works under the bridge and the replacement of railings to meet current bridge code.
Schedules and traffic management plans for these two projects have been coordinated to minimize the overall impact to road users, residents and businesses. While the work will be limited to daytime hours the road closures will be in effect at all times (24/7) to ensure public safety.
Signage will be in place to indicate detour routes for affected traffic with access maintained for local traffic through the work zones or via alternative routes. Local businesses and farm stands will remain open. Signs and electronic message boards will provide updates on the closures and detour information.
What you need to know
- Herd Road will be closed to through-traffic between Bell McKinnon Road and Lakes Road.
- This closure includes the entire intersection of Herd Road at Bell McKinnon Road in all four directions.
- Local traffic will be able to access the closed section of Herd Road via Norcross and Mays Roads.
- Herd Rd between the Trans-Canada Highway and Bell McKinnon will be accessible to local traffic only
- Bell McKinnon Road will be closed to through-traffic at Herd Road with local access only via Norcross Road from south to Mays Road from the north.
- Kensington Road will be accessible directly via Lakes Road and will be open to Herd Road for local traffic only
- Maple Bay traffic can use Maple Bay Road or Herd Road to Lakes Road/Beverly Street
- Crofton traffic can use Osborne Bay Road to Lakes Road/Beverly Street or Crofton Road/Chemainus Road/Henry Road
Mays Road, Norcross Road, and Richards Trail will be open to local traffic only and are not to be used as detour routes.
Trans-Canada Trail users:
- Trans-Canada Trail/Great Trail users on Bell McKinnon Road can use the highway and underpass at Sprott Road to go around the construction area.
Accessing businesses:
- Coastal Animal Control Services (2202 Herd Road) can be accessed via Norcross or Mays Road.
- Pacific Northwest Raptors (1877 Herd Road) can be accessed via Crofton and Osborne Bay Road or via Beverly Street and Lakes Road.
- Arctic Glacier Premium Ice (6822 Westcott Road) can be accessed via Norcross and Westcott Roads.
- Farm gate sales along the local roads can be accessed via the designated local traffic or detour routes.
- Emandare Vineyard (6798 Norcross Road): can be accessed via south Norcross Road.
