British Columbia Highway 4

Highway 4
Alberni Highway Pacific Rim Highway
Route information
Length:	162 km[1] (101 mi)
Major junctions
East end:	BC 19 in Qualicum Beach
	BC 4A near Coombs
West end:	Government Wharf in Tofino
Location
Districts:	Tofino
Major cities:	Port Alberni
Towns:	Qualicum Beach
Highway system
British Columbia provincial highways ← BC 3B BC 5 →

Highway 4 is the longest east-west main vehicle route on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, with a total length of 162 km (100 mi). It known locally as the Alberni Highway to the east of Port Alberni and the Pacific Rim Highway to the west. The original highway from Parksville to Alberni and Port Alberni was completed in 1942 and was originally designated as Highway 1A. It was re-designated as Highway 4 in 1953, and was extended in 1961 to the small community of Tofino, on the west coast of the Island.

Route details

Highway 4 and 19 Interchange at Qualicum Beach

Highway 4's eastern terminus at the interchange with Highway 19 at in Qualicum Beach; however, the roadway continues east as Memorial Avenue for 4 km (2 mi) to Highway 19A. From Highway 19, it travels south for 3 km (2 mi) to a junction with an older Alberni Highway segment, now known as Highway 4A, at the small community of Hilliers in Coombs. Highway 4 veers directly west upon meeting this junction.

The majority of Highway 4's length is composed of a two-lane configuration. An abandoned spur of the E&N Railway parallels Highway 4 all the way from the coast to the city of Port Alberni.

West of Coombs Junction, Highway 4 travels for 11 km (7 mi) before meeting Cameron Lake. Highway 4 hugs the shore of Cameron Lake for 5 km (3 mi), then winds its way through MacMillan Provincial Park, which includes the well-known area of Cathedral Grove. After Cameron Lake, Highway 4 climbs for 8 km (5 mi) to the Port Alberni Summit—the highest point on the highway, known by locals as "The Hump", at which it crosses from the Regional District of Nanaimo into the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District—and then descends for 6 km (4 mi) to a spur that travels into the city centre of Port Alberni. Highway 4 actually enters the city limits of Port Alberni 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the main spur into the city, and 5 km (3 mi) later, exits Port Alberni via a bridge over the Somass River.

Tofino was a strong advocate of the Trans-Canada Highway system, and this sign was erected in the hope that Highway 4 would become part of the TCH.

6 km (4 mi) west of the Somass River crossing, Highway 4 reaches the shore of Sproat Lake, following the lake shore west for 24 km (15 mi). Highway 4 goes through Sutton Pass, named after William John Sutton, another 10 km (6 mi) later and turns toward the south-southwest to follow the Kennedy River. This very winding bearing of Highway 4, which features very steep grades, continues for 23 km (14 mi) before reaching the southeast shore of Kennedy Lake. Highway 4 then follows the shore of Kennedy Lake southwest for 19 km (12 mi), then reaches a junction with a spur into the settlement of Ucluelet 5 km (3 mi) later. At the Tofino-Ucluelet junction, known locally as "The Junction," Highway 4 then makes a ninety-degree turn towards the northwest. 1 km (0.6 mi) later, Highway 4 enters the Long Beach Unit of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Highway 4 goes through the national park for 22 km (14 mi) northwest, finally terminating 11 km (7 mi) later at Tofino.

Major intersections

From east to west:

Regional district	Location	km[1]	mi	Destinations	Notes
Nanaimo	Qualicum Beach	−3.70	−2.30	BC 19A (Oceanside Route) – Courtenay, Parksville
		0.00	0.00	BC 19 (Inland Island Highway) – Campbell River, Nanaimo	Hilliers Interchange (BC 19 Exit 60) BC 4 eastern terminus
	​	2.62	1.63	BC 4A east – Coombs, Parksville
Alberni-Clayoquot	​	33.72	20.95	Old Port Alberni Highway
	Port Alberni	37.74	23.45	Gertrude Street – City Centre
		37.97	23.59	River Road	BC 4 branches northwest onto River Road
	​	128.72	79.98	Ucluelet Road – Ucluelet	BC 4 branches northwest
		131.14– 151.43	81.49– 94.09	Passes through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
	Tofino	161.60	100.41	Government Warf	BC 4 western terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Closed/former

Highway 4A

Highway 4A is the previous alignment of Highway 4 east of Coombs. The '4A' designation was originally assigned in 1968 to the current section of Highway 4 between Coombs and Qualicum Beach. The 4 and 4A alignments east and north of Coombs, respectively, switched designations when the Parksville to Mud Bay section of the Inland Island Highway was completed in 1996. This older spur of Highway 4 terminates in the east at Parksville, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Coombs.

Major intersections

Regional district	Location	km[1]	mi	Destinations	Notes
Nanaimo	Parksville	−1.90	−1.18	BC 19A (Oceanside Route) – Courtenay, Qualicum Beach, Nanaimo
		0.00	0.00	BC 19 (Inland Island Highway) – Campbell River, Nanaimo	Allsbrook Interchange (BC 19 Exit 51) BC 4A eastern terminus
	Coombs	6.83	4.24	Station Road
	​	9.67	6.01	BC 4 – Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni	BC 4A western terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi       Closed/former

External links

• Official Numbered Routes in British Columbia by British Columbia Driving & Transportation

References