Highway 4 and Beaver Creek Road Intersection Improvements

The Highway 4 and Beaver Creek Road Intersection Improvements project in the City of Port Alberni will keep local and tourist traffic moving while addressing safety and accessibility concerns.

Project benefits

This project will benefit the local community and Pacific Rim through-traffic by:

• Replacing the existing unsignalized intersection with a new roundabout
• Improving traffic flow along Highway 4 and enhancing connections to Beaver Creek Road
• Enhancing sight lines by eliminating the need for left turns and creating more space for cyclists and pedestrians
• Improving access to Clutesi Haven Marina, which will reduce congestion on the highway
• Widening the western entrance for boat launch users, constructing a new eastern entrance, and updating the exit into the roundabout to improve marina access
• Introducing active transportation features such as multi-use paths, bicycle-accessible shoulders, sidewalks, and shorter, more direct pedestrian crossing points

Traffic impacts

Status

The project team is actively engaging with First Nations, the City of Port Alberni, and key stakeholders.

• Anticipated tendering: Summer 2025
• Construction duration: 1 year once underway

Marina access

• To safely and effectively accommodate larger vehicles at the western entrance and prevent lane blocking, approximately 10 existing boat trailer parking stalls will need to be removed
• The new eastern entrance will improve access for all marina users and commercial purposes such as food trucks and emergency vehicles; however, it will require removing approximately 14 parking stalls
• The reconfigured eastern exit will require removing an additional 10 parking stalls
• Updates to parking within the marina will be up to the City of Port Alberni or the Port Authority to undertake
• The roundabout design includes accesses to accommodate the largest permitted vehicle size in the marina, which could include large commercial fishing boats and semi-truck trailers

Engagement to date

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has engaged the City of Port Alberni, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and the Port Alberni Port Authority, as well as Tseshaht First Nation and Hupacasath First Nation in consideration of updating the project design. The following links provide an overview of the project and key design features and tips on how to use a roundabout.

• Highway 4-Beaver Creek Road Intersection Improvements Information Boards (PDF, 10.2MB)
• Highway 4-Beaver Creek Road Intersection Improvements How to Use a Roundabout Fact Sheet (PDF, 511KB)
• TranBC How to Safely Use Roundabouts in B.C.

Project map

The map shows the location of the intersection improvement project which includes a roundabout moving traffic between Highway 4 and Beaver Creek Road as well as access to Clutesi Haven Marina. 

Project video

 

Project photo gallery