Turning lanes coming to Hwy 37 at Gruchy’s Beach south of Terrace

Drivers on Hwy 37 South and visitors to Lakelse Provincial Park will soon benefit from a project making it safer to enter and leave the Gruchy’s Beach parking lot.

Construction crews this week have begun adding acceleration and deceleration lanes at the entrance to the lot.

The Ministry of Transportation says the lanes will increase safety for visitors to the beach and southbound users of the highway. In the summer months, the Hwy 37 South can see more than 5,000 vehicles a day.

There are three entrances to Lakelse Lake Provincial Park — the Gruchy’s Beach parking lot is the only access point without turning lanes.

Drivers can expect delays of up to 20 minutes and single lane, alternating traffic during working hours until the project’s completion, which is scheduled for this fall.

The parking lot, trail and day use area at the beach will be closed from Sept. 21 until late November, but the Lakelse Lake Picnic Site and Furlong Bay Campground will be unaffected by the construction.

The ministry reminds drivers to check DriveBC.ca for the most up to date information and to obey construction zone speed limits, signage and traffic controllers. Binnie Construction Services Ltd., WorkSafeBC and the ministry are working closely to follow all precautions to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Lakelse Lake Provincial Park was established in 1956. The 354 hectare park offers camping, picnic areas, trails, beaches and a boat launch while acting to preserve old growth cedar, hemlock and Sitka Spruce forests.

READ MORE: Lakelse: A beautiful lake and an excellent campsite