British Columbia Highway 4
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| Alberni Highway Pacific Rim Highway |
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| Route information | ||||
| Length: | 162 km (101 mi) | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| East end: |
 BC 19 in Qualicum Beach
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 BC 4A near Coombs
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| West end: | Government Wharf in Tofino | |||
| Location | ||||
| Districts: | Tofino | |||
| Major cities: | Port Alberni | |||
| Towns: | Qualicum Beach | |||
| Highway system | ||||
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British Columbia provincial highways
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| Location: | Coombs–Parksville |
| Length: | 9.7 km (6.0 mi) |
British Columbia provincial highways
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.
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.
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Wikipedia