There’s still no word on when Allenby Road will reopen.
A statement from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said it is still working collaboratively with Cowichan Tribes towards a solution to open Allenby Road again.
“The project is currently in the planning stages and more will be shared when an update is available,” MoTI said.
“We appreciate the understanding and patience of the community during this process, and we will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.”
RELATED STORY: DUNCAN’S ALLENBY ROAD REOPENING REMAINS UP IN THE AIR
Sections of Allenby Road, which is a much-used roadway, between Miller and Boys Roads in Duncan were shut down in November, 2021, after a major flooding event caused a couple of landslides that buried that part of the road in debris.
The area where the landslide occurred is on land belonging to Cowichan Tribes and, in cooperation with MoTI, the First Nation embarked on a slope assessment soon after the landslides to determine what the next steps should be in stabilizing the hill and reopening Allenby Road.
But progress has been slow and calls have been getting louder for the road to reopen.
Cowichan Tribes’ Lulumexun Lands and Self-Governance, which is responsible for all the First Nation’s lands, said the decision to keep Allenby Road closed until necessary slope and stability work can be performed has not been taken lightly.
“Public safety continues to be our first priority,” LLSG said.
“We are currently in a wet season and the risk of slide activity remains. New signage has been installed by MoTI to reiterate the need for pedestrians, cyclists and all others to avoid the area.”
RELATED STORY: MORE LANDSLIDES IN DUNCAN’S ALLENBY ROAD AREA
LLSG said Cowichan Tribes and MoTI continue to obtain the necessary technical reports, as well as long-term remediation recommendations, towards making Allenby Road active again.
LLSG said Khowutzun Development Corporation, Cowichan Tribes’ economic arm, has recently come forward to provide additional project support and expertise to the ongoing work to reopen the road.
“Cowichan Tribes looks forward to working with these partners, as well as Emergency Management BC and Indigenous Services Canada, to confirm a long-term solution which will allow for their safe reopening of Allenby Road,” the LLSG said.
