A pair of crashes that happened within about 600 metres of each other and 15 minutes apart on Friday afternoon closed a section of Sooke Road in both directions for hours.
The main cross street in the area of the crashes is Ludlow and Manzer roads.
“There’s going to be significant traffic backlogs,” Sooke Fire Chief Kenn Mount said as crews worked at the crash site.
He said that in one incident, a truck hit a power pole and brought down power lines. The pole was in a dangerous position, as well, Mount said.
The other crash near the Stickleback West Coast Eatery in the 5400 block of Sooke Road involved rescuing a victim with mechanical jaws.
The Metchosin Fire Department was assisting.
The Sooke School District sent a message on Twitter advising parents that four school buses were affected and they should make arrangements to pick up their children as needed.
At about 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Highway 14 was partly open with single-lane alternating traffic. Drive B.C. warned drivers to expect major delays and heavy congestion. The road was opened in both directions around 9 p.m.
On the Facebook page called Sooke Traffic Updates Only, posters said that B.C. Hydro was installing a new pole. Users said that Gillespie Road was experiencing heavy traffic.
