UPDATED: Closed portion of TCH not reopening until Monday

Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP are advising that a section of the Trans Canada Highway closed to traffic since Saturday will not reopen until Monday.

In a news release issued early Sunday evening, police said vehicles will continue to be re-routed through South Branch. The closing of the highway resulted from a failed culvert.

Work crews from the Department of Transportation and Works have been at the scene to handle repairs since Saturday.

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(Earlier story)

Work to repair a failed culvert on the Trans Canada Highway in western Newfoundland continues as of Sunday afternoon, according to the Department of Transportation and Works.

A section of the TCH near South Branch has been closed since Saturday afternoon, making it necessary for traffic to be re-routed through the community.

On Saturday, a spokesman for the department estimated it would take eight hours to complete repairs, though he added the estimate was subject to change.

Speaking on Sunday, the spokesman said the pace of repairs has been impacted by severe weather in the area. He said it is difficult to say when the repair work will conclude.

The Channel-Port aux Basques area is subject to a Wreckhouse wind warning for Sunday, with gusts due to peak at 140 kilometres per hour.

Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP are advising motorists traveling through the area to drive with caution through the community while the highway closure remains in effect.

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(Earlier story)

The closure of a section of the Trans Canada Highway near South Branch in western Newfoundland is the result of a failed culvert, according to a spokesman for the Department of Transportation and Works.

Traffic has been re-routed through the community while the department handles repairs. A work crew and excavator are on site.

As of early Saturday evening, it was estimated the repairs would take eight hours. The spokesman did however advise that the estimate is subject to change.

Further updates are expected as they become available.

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(Earlier story)

Traffic on the Trans Canada Highway near South Branch is being re-routed on Saturday due to highway repairs.

According to a Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP news release, the impacted section of the TCH is not expected to reopen until Sunday. Staff from the Department of Transportation and Works are said to be on site where the repairs are taking place.

Police are advising drivers to proceed cautiously through South Branch and to check updates on road and weather conditions. A Wreckhouse wind warning is in effect for Sunday.