Long lines for Holyrood detour, TCH sinkhole repairs could be hampered by weather
Drivers saw lengthy delays and long lines on the commute on the Avalon Peninsula on Tuesday evening, as repair efforts continued to on a closed section of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Vehicles were re-routed onto the Salmonier Line and through Holyrood to head eastbound across Newfoundland, due to a sinkhole that continues to shut down a section of the highway in the area.
Expect long delays in your commute to and from St Johns <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nltraffic?src=hash">#nltraffic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/govnl?src=hash">#govnl</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/whensthenextelection?src=hash">#whensthenextelection</a> <a href="https://t.co/swQH4pWF3m">pic.twitter.com/swQH4pWF3m</a>
—@Ashleep55Drivers reported waits of about an hour to pass through Salmonier Line to get to the Conception Bay Highway in Holyrood, where the lineups were continuing.
One driver, Pam, told CBC Radio's On The Go that it was slow going on the entire detour.
"It's all the same, you're going about five kilometres and hour, and then you're stopped," she said. "And then you're going, you know, five kilometres and hour and then you're stopped."
She said Tuesday evening's drive was even worse than the morning's.
Traffic in holyrod! Moving slowly ... 😳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nltraffic?src=hash">#nltraffic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SinkHole?src=hash">#SinkHole</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TCHclosed?src=hash">#TCHclosed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Holyrod?src=hash">#Holyrod</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nltraffic">@nltraffic</a> <a href="https://t.co/m75KDWB6z2">pic.twitter.com/m75KDWB6z2</a>
—@debbiejoy091 hr and 10 min from tch turnoff to get down holyrood off ramp <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nltraffic?src=hash">#nltraffic</a>
—@JennNL24Inclement weather
Strong winds and a mix of precipitation in the forecast could affect repair efforts on the sinkhole.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for much of Newfoundland, about conditions starting Wednesday and moving overnight into Thursday.
The inclement forecast includes the section of highway near Salmonier Line where work is taking place.
2 hours and 5 mins from Whitborne to town. Left at 5:15 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nltraffic?src=hash">#nltraffic</a>
—@ForwardPaulStrong southeasterly winds are expected, along with snow starting Wednesday afternoon before changing to ice pellets and freezing rain.
The Department of Transportation and Works still anticipates the road will open on Thursday, and said officials are monitoring the weather forecast for potential impacts.
MHA Eddie Joyce, who was acting as transportation minister on Tuesday, asked drivers to exercise caution and patience around the detour.
"This happens. Sometimes it is well beyond our control but we just asked people to exercise caution and be safe," he said.
"There are going to be delays but hopefully Thursday this will be taken care of."
The highway has been closed since Dec. 31, the morning after a rainstorm washed out a culvert and created a sinkhole in the median of the divided highway. The hole soon spread to the nearest lanes on both sides.
Joyce said the Department of Transportation and Works mobilized contractors very quickly. He says the road should be repaved on Thursday, but it may open with gravel.
Drivers heading east are forced to exit at Route 90 on Salmonier Line and follow Route 60 to Route 62 on the Holyrood Access Road.
Heading west, traffic is exiting on Route 62, following Route 60 to Route 90 before re-joining the TCH.