Photo: Ministry of Transportation

Work to repair the Malahat Highway north of Victoria following last November’s flooding is scheduled to start this summer.

Windley Contracting Ltd. of Nanaimo has been awarded a $14.9-million contract to complete permanent repairs to the Malahat Tunnel Hill segment of Highway 1.

Work is to start this summer, with completion expected in the summer of 2023.

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming this is the first contract awarded for permanent repairs on the highway following catastrophic flooding in the fall and marks “an important milestone.”

About 35,000 travellers and commuters travel the corridor daily.

“The Malahat is a critical connection for residents, businesses, emergency services and the transportation of goods between the mid-Island and the capital region,” Fleming said in a news release.

Work will include restoring approximately 50 metres of the northbound lane north of Finlayson Arm Road, and repairing damage to existing drainage and slope stability. An 80-metre retaining wall will also be replaced to secure the slope against future extreme rain events, the ministry said.

Efforts will be made to complete work during the night to keep the highway open daytime travel hours.

Advance notice of any traffic disruptions, including possible periods of single-lane alternating traffic and short, intermittent full closures, will be provided, the Transportation Ministry said.