Highway 19 Closed Northbound Near Cook Creek Road After Vehicle Incident

A vehicle incident on Highway 19 near Cook Creek Road is causing major traffic disruptions on Vancouver Island, with northbound lanes closed and motorists being advised to use an alternate route.

The incident was reported at approximately 2:40 p.m., with the collision occurring about one kilometre north of Cook Creek Road. By approximately 2:35 p.m., northbound traffic in the area was reported to be at a standstill as emergency crews responded and authorities worked to manage the scene.

According to current highway information, Highway 19 is closed to northbound traffic in the area between Cook Creek Road and the Fanny Bay/Rosewall Creek Bridge area. Drivers travelling north are being directed to use a detour via Cook Creek Road and Highway 19A. {“fallbackMarkdown”:”(OpenRoadCam Canada)”,”reference”:{“matched_text”:””,”prefix”:null,”start_idx”:1134,”end_idx”:1166,”safe_urls”:[“https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events”,”https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”https://site.twstalker.com/DriveBC”,”https://site.twstalker.com/DriveBC?utm_source=chatgpt.com”],”refs”:[],”alt”:”(OpenRoadCam Canada)”,”prompt_text”:null,”type”:”grouped_webpages”,”error”:null,”status”:”done”,”items”:[{“title”:”Traffic Events | OpenRoadCam Canada”,”url”:”https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”attribution”:”OpenRoadCam Canada”,”pub_date”:null,”snippet”:””,”attribution_segments”:null,”supporting_websites”:[{“title”:”DriveBC @DriveBC – Twitter Profile | TwStalker”,”url”:”https://site.twstalker.com/DriveBC?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”pub_date”:null,”snippet”:””,”attribution”:”TwStalker”}],”refs”:[{“turn_index”:0,”ref_type”:”search”,”ref_index”:0},{“turn_index”:0,”ref_type”:”search”,”ref_index”:1}],”hue”:null,”attributions”:null}],”style”:null,”fallback_items”:null},”showLoginRequiredCard”:false}

Traffic backed up as crews respond

The closure is creating significant congestion for motorists travelling along the Island Highway toward Fanny Bay, Courtenay and other communities farther north.

Drivers approaching the affected stretch should expect substantial delays and should avoid the area if possible. Those who need to continue north are being encouraged to follow posted detour signs and use Highway 19A.

The situation is particularly important for commuters and commercial drivers because Highway 19 is a major north-south route on Vancouver Island. A closure in the Cook Creek and Fanny Bay area can quickly result in traffic backups as vehicles are funnelled onto alternative routes.

Highway 19A provides an alternate route through the area, but motorists should still anticipate slower-than-normal travel as traffic diverts away from the closed section.

Where is the incident?

The crash has been reported on Highway 19 northbound, approximately one kilometre north of Cook Creek Road.

The affected area is in the Fanny Bay region of Vancouver Island, between the Cook Creek area and the Rosewall Creek/Fanny Bay corridor. Provincial highway records identify Cook Creek Road and the Cook Creek Bridge as landmarks along this section of the highway. {“fallbackMarkdown”:”(Government of British Columbia)”,”reference”:{“matched_text”:””,”prefix”:null,”start_idx”:2443,”end_idx”:2463,”safe_urls”:[“https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/engineering-standards-and-guidelines/traffic-engineering-and-safety/highway-safety/lki/lki_bc_201907.pdf”,”https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/engineering-standards-and-guidelines/traffic-engineering-and-safety/highway-safety/lki/lki_bc_201907.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com”],”refs”:[],”alt”:”(Government of British Columbia)”,”prompt_text”:null,”type”:”grouped_webpages”,”error”:null,”status”:”done”,”items”:[{“title”:”Highway: 19 A OLD ISLAND  Page 374″,”url”:”https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/engineering-standards-and-guidelines/traffic-engineering-and-safety/highway-safety/lki/lki_bc_201907.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”attribution”:”Government of British Columbia”,”pub_date”:1563139756,”snippet”:””,”attribution_segments”:null,”supporting_websites”:[],”refs”:[{“turn_index”:0,”ref_type”:”search”,”ref_index”:17}],”hue”:null,”attributions”:null}],”style”:null,”fallback_items”:null},”showLoginRequiredCard”:false}

Current road information identifies the incident as a vehicle incident and confirms that a closure and detour are in effect. {“fallbackMarkdown”:”(OpenRoadCam Canada)”,”reference”:{“matched_text”:””,”prefix”:null,”start_idx”:2590,”end_idx”:2609,”safe_urls”:[“https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events”,”https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com”],”refs”:[],”alt”:”(OpenRoadCam Canada)”,”prompt_text”:null,”type”:”grouped_webpages”,”error”:null,”status”:”done”,”items”:[{“title”:”Traffic Events | OpenRoadCam Canada”,”url”:”https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”attribution”:”OpenRoadCam Canada”,”pub_date”:null,”snippet”:””,”attribution_segments”:null,”supporting_websites”:[],”refs”:[{“turn_index”:0,”ref_type”:”search”,”ref_index”:0}],”hue”:null,”attributions”:null}],”style”:null,”fallback_items”:null},”showLoginRequiredCard”:false}

At this time, detailed information about the number of vehicles involved, whether anyone was injured, or what caused the collision has not been confirmed in the available traffic information.

Detour available through Highway 19A

Motorists travelling northbound are being directed onto a detour via Cook Creek Road and Highway 19A.

Drivers should follow traffic-control personnel and official signage rather than attempting to pass through the closed section.

Highway 19A is the Old Island Highway and runs through communities along the east side of Vancouver Island. It provides an alternative north-south connection through the Fanny Bay and Courtenay-area corridor.

Because the detour may receive a sudden increase in traffic following the Highway 19 closure, motorists should allow extra travel time and be prepared for congestion.

Drivers are also reminded to slow down around emergency vehicles and crews working near the highway.

What we know so far

The following details have been confirmed through current traffic reports:

• A vehicle incident occurred on Highway 19 northbound.
• The incident is approximately one kilometre north of Cook Creek Road.
• Northbound traffic was reported at a standstill shortly after the incident.
• Highway 19 northbound is closed in the affected area.
• A detour is available through Cook Creek Road and Highway 19A.
• Emergency and highway crews are responding.
• The full circumstances of the incident have not yet been released.
• Information about injuries or damage has not been confirmed in the current road advisory.

DriveBC’s current information lists the Highway 19 incident as a major incident with the highway closed and a detour in effect. {“fallbackMarkdown”:”(OpenRoadCam Canada)”,”reference”:{“matched_text”:””,”prefix”:null,”start_idx”:4320,”end_idx”:4339,”safe_urls”:[“https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events”,”https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com”],”refs”:[],”alt”:”(OpenRoadCam Canada)”,”prompt_text”:null,”type”:”grouped_webpages”,”error”:null,”status”:”done”,”items”:[{“title”:”Traffic Events | OpenRoadCam Canada”,”url”:”https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”attribution”:”OpenRoadCam Canada”,”pub_date”:null,”snippet”:””,”attribution_segments”:null,”supporting_websites”:[],”refs”:[{“turn_index”:0,”ref_type”:”search”,”ref_index”:0}],”hue”:null,”attributions”:null}],”style”:null,”fallback_items”:null},”showLoginRequiredCard”:false}

Drivers urged to use caution

Anyone travelling through the Fanny Bay area this afternoon should plan for delays.

Motorists already caught in the northbound backup should remain patient and follow directions from emergency personnel. Sudden lane changes, U-turns or attempts to bypass official traffic controls can create additional hazards, particularly when emergency crews are working at or near the collision scene.

Those planning a trip north along Highway 19 may want to consider checking current road conditions before leaving and allowing additional time for their journey.

Drivers should also be aware that conditions can change quickly following a highway collision. A road that is initially partially restricted can become fully closed while emergency crews, tow operators and investigators work at the scene.

Witnesses asked to share information

Anyone who was travelling through the area around the time of the incident and has information about what happened is encouraged to contact local media or authorities as appropriate.

Motorists with dashcam footage may also have information that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

For local traffic updates and reports from drivers in the area, witnesses can call or text 250-703-2-JET (250-703-2538).

Photos or video should only be captured safely. Drivers should never stop in an unsafe location or use a phone while operating a vehicle.

Expect delays on Vancouver Island

The Highway 19 closure is likely to affect northbound travel through the Fanny Bay area while crews remain at the scene.

For motorists heading toward Courtenay, Comox or points farther north, the recommended alternative is to follow the signed detour via Cook Creek Road and Highway 19A.

Traffic conditions may continue to change as the response progresses, and motorists should check the latest DriveBC updates before travelling.

As of the latest available information, Highway 19 northbound remains closed at the affected section near Cook Creek Road, with a detour in place via Highway 19A. {“fallbackMarkdown”:”(OpenRoadCam Canada)”,”reference”:{“matched_text”:””,”prefix”:null,”start_idx”:6426,”end_idx”:6458,”safe_urls”:[“https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events”,”https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”https://site.twstalker.com/DriveBC”,”https://site.twstalker.com/DriveBC?utm_source=chatgpt.com”],”refs”:[],”alt”:”(OpenRoadCam Canada)”,”prompt_text”:null,”type”:”grouped_webpages”,”error”:null,”status”:”done”,”items”:[{“title”:”Traffic Events | OpenRoadCam Canada”,”url”:”https://ca.openroadcam.com/en/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”attribution”:”OpenRoadCam Canada”,”pub_date”:null,”snippet”:””,”attribution_segments”:null,”supporting_websites”:[{“title”:”DriveBC @DriveBC – Twitter Profile | TwStalker”,”url”:”https://site.twstalker.com/DriveBC?utm_source=chatgpt.com”,”pub_date”:null,”snippet”:””,”attribution”:”TwStalker”}],”refs”:[{“turn_index”:0,”ref_type”:”search”,”ref_index”:0},{“turn_index”:0,”ref_type”:”search”,”ref_index”:1}],”hue”:null,”attributions”:null}],”style”:null,”fallback_items”:null},”showLoginRequiredCard”:false}

Further details about the collision, including the cause of the incident and any injuries, are expected to become available as authorities continue their response.

For anyone travelling the Island Highway this afternoon, the key message is simple: avoid the closed northbound section if possible, follow the signed detour, expect significant delays, and give emergency crews plenty of room to work.