News Release - September 11, 2018

Filming for Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Closes Highway 19

Beginning this week, traffic using Highway 19 (New Island Highway) will be detoured through Highway 19A (Old Island Highway) between Horne Lake Road and Cook Creek Road.

The closure will be to allow for filming from:

• Monday, September 10, 2018 until Friday September 14, 2018 with the potential for two additional days of closures on Saturday September 15, and/or Sunday September 16, 2018.
• Highway 19 traffic will be detoured to Highway 19A via Cook Creek Road and Kenmuir Road.
• Highway 19 will be closed between 6:00am and 9:00 pm each day.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) met recently to discuss the Highway 19 road closure with representatives from the BC Ministry of Transportation Infrastructure (MoTI), Vancouver Island North Film Commission, Hedgehog Film Inc., Qualicum First Nations, current Highway maintenance contractor Mainroad, local RCMP, fire departments, BC Ambulance, and the traffic management company hired by the film production company during the closure.

"The recent meeting was informative and collaborative, focused on safety and access for our residents, both drivers and pedestrians on Highway 19 and 19A through Bowser Village. I look forward to Hedgehog Inc. following through on their commitments to our community as discussed in these discussions," said Chair and Area H Director Bill Veenhof. "I greatly appreciate our community's patience and the support of local emergency services to ensure safety for all during the Highway 19 closure and detouring through Bowser on Highway 19A."

Hedgehog Film Inc. has also recently confirmed that they will be making a $5,000 donation to Soupy Café and Food Bank in Bowser through the Lighthouse Community Centre Society, to thank the community of Bowser for their support and any inconvenience during the movie filming.

The RDN will provide updates received from Vancouver Island North Film Commission or Hedgehog Film Inc. via Facebook and Twitter if there are changes or extensions to the Highway closure. For more information or details on the closure please contact Kris Kadzielski at 778-840-3730 between 6am - 9pm or INfilm soniclocations [at] gmail.com (soniclocations[at]gmail[dot]com) or at 250-287-2772.