Huu-ay-aht First Nations mark completion of road to Bamfield on Vancouver Island

Upgrades to a rough and treacherous section of road connecting Port Alberni and Bamfield on Vancouver Island's west coast arenow complete.

The Huu-ay-aht First Nations hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremonyTuesday to mark the successful completion of the Bamfield Main Road Reconciliation Project.

The project, a partnership between the First Nation and the province,first broke ground in October 2020.

"We wanted to provide a safer and more reliable route for everyone who travels in Huu-ay-aht territory," said Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor John Jack.

"With this upgrade, we begin building a strong, self-reliant community and economy for Huu-ay-aht citizens and everyone in the region," he added.

Upgrades include a skid-resistant chip-sealed roadsurface, instalments of steel guardrails, improved drainage through new and improved culvertsand other safety enhancements.

The Bamfield Main is the main transportation link between Port Alberni and the communities of Bamfield and Anacla for medical, emergency and community access for Huu-ay-aht First Nations members, Bamfield residents, forest companies and tourists. It is also the key route to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.

The 76-kilometre stretch of road has been the site of many accidents over the years, including a fatal one in September 2019 when two University of Victoria students died after their bus rolled off the road in a rainstorm.

Kevin Hall, president and vice chancellor at the University of Victoria, said the completion of the project is an important milestone for both the Huu-ay-aht and the university.

"We lost two of our students on this road and while it's always hard to find a silver lining in a tragedy, seeing this road now is absolutely fantastic," he said.

Promise of new economic opportunities

The new and improved road will help Huu-ay-aht First Nationsdevelop tourism and other business opportunities, according to the First Nation's executive councillor, Stephen Rayner.

"It allows us to explore a plethora of opportunities, all the way from industry to tourism and make strides, which we weren't able to explore before," he said.

Echoing Rayner, Minister of Indigenous Relations and ReconciliationMurray Rankin said in a statement that the infrastructure will have a lasting impact for community residents, local businesses, and the forestry and tourism industries alike.

"It will support economic growth and economic recovery for years to come," Rankin said.

The province contributed a total of $35.7 million to the projectand the First Nation contributed $5 million.