BC’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit announced that the Province will no longer be proceeding with the Goldstream median barrier widening project.
It was determined that more analysis would be needed to address environmental considerations that may impact Goldstream Park as a result of the project.
According to the Province, this analysis will inform any future decisions about upgrades in this section of the corridor.
Two years ago when this project was announced, in March 2023, members of the Tsartlip First Nation and environmental advocates called on the project to be cancelled, citing the very environmental considerations that have now paused the project.
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Specifically, these environmental advocates were concerned about the potential impact to the salmon population who rely on Goldstream’s spawning grounds for survival.
“The plan that the highway has takes away spawning beds,” said Carl Olson, member of Tsartlip First Nation, at the time of the project announcement.
“It’s interrupting the breeding grounds of the salmon that return there every year.”
“I think it’s important that we take care of the salmon and the trees that are there, because they’re planning on taking out 700 to 800 trees along the stream and that destroys habitats,” he added.
Olson and many other community members who wanted the project halted protested alongside the corridor near the entrance to Goldstream Park for months after the project announcement.
In addition to announcing that the project has now been halted, the Ministry of Transportation and Transit revealed plans to update the current ‘2012 Highway 1 Malahat Safety Review.’
This review will reflect current road conditions and vehicular collision data to help prioritize future improvements along the corridor.
The Province says that this work will be completed later in 2026.
