Drivers in View Royal should prepare for traffic delays as BC Hydro conducts utility work along the Island Highway from May 19 to May 22, 2026. The Town of View Royal issued a traffic advisory on May 14, 2026, warning residents to expect lane restrictions and potential closures during the work.
This construction is part of the Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project. The utility company is replacing an underground transmission cable originally installed in 1980, which officials have identified as being at high risk of failure. The project aims to install 2.3 kilometres of new, oil-free cable beneath city streets to improve reliability and meet energy demands in the region. The new infrastructure is expected to be in service by the fall of 2026.
Work on this project has previously affected travel in the area. Between February 23 and March 6, 2026, crews performed similar maintenance in the 200-block of the Island Highway. That phase required eastbound lane closures and a detour that directed traffic toward the Trans-Canada Highway via the Island Highway and Burnside Road West intersection and Helmcken Road. The work was temporarily suspended on February 24 after excavation teams encountered unexpected challenges with the lines.
With multiple road construction projects currently underway across the South Island, including work on the Trans-Canada Highway and the Keating Cross Road flyover, local officials are encouraging motorists to allow extra travel time. Residents are asked to follow all posted signage and directions from traffic control personnel.
For more information regarding the project, residents can contact BC Hydro spokesperson Ted Olynyk at 250-618-6267 or via email at [email protected].
