Update: Drive B.C. reported Highway 17 at Sayward Road was reopened as of 7:27 p.m. Sunday night after protesters caused the highway to be closed in both directions.
- - -
Saanich police are responding to a protest blocking the Patricia Bay Highway in both directions late Sunday afternoon. The highway will remain closed to northbound and southbound traffic from Haliburton Road to Sayward Road until further notice.
CHEK reporter Mary Griffin was headed into downtown Victoria when she saw Extinction Rebellion protesters jump the median to block northbound traffic. Hundreds of vehicles were backed up and idling during the group's protest about the use of fossil fuels.
Saanich police are asking motorists to slow down as they're detoured onto Oldfield Road. There are reports of several near-collisions.
Police report the road is now OPEN.
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 22, 2021
- #BCHwy17 is being blocked by protest at #ElkLake. Expect major delays in both directions. #VictoriaBC #Saanich #PatBayHwy #VanIsle
Protest on #BCHwy17 is being blocked by protest at #ElkLake. Expect major delays in both directions. #VictoriaBC #Saanich #PatBayHwy
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 22, 2021
We know motorists are frustrated with this delay. Please respect the speed limits on the detour roads. #yyjtraffic #Saanich #yyj https://t.co/UknlQhaHXc
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) November 22, 2021
