Expect heavy traffic delays heading into town this morning and throughout the day as crews work feverishly to repair a broken water main on the Trans Canada Highway following a water main break late Thursday night.
The break occurred at about 11:50 pm between Burnside Road West and Helmcken Road.
The highway was closed to southbound traffic for hours due to flooding and freezing. Traffic was rerouted down 6 Mile to the old Island Highway.
Crews were able to reopen one southbound lane before the morning commute. Traffic snarls are being reported in the West Shore as commuters look for alternate routes.
Langford is an absolute parking lot right now trying to merge onto highway. Need to add more lanes #yyjtraffic #yyj #Traffic @CHEK_News pic.twitter.com/mcnrUAjjGX
— rh (@wetcoastone) December 16, 2016
The ruptured water supply main serves Saanich, Victoria and Oak Bay. The CRD has switched to alternate pipes so there will be no water service interruption to residents or businesses.
CRD said residents and businesses in Victoria West, Tillicum, Esquimalt and View Royal areas may experience lower water pressure and notice a slightly increased level of turbidity in the tap water as a result of fine sediments in the pipe being disturbed through the sudden change in flow and pressure.
Official say the water remains safe to drink.
Southbound traffic will remain down to one lane until the work is complete. Repairs are expected to take until late Friday night.
Continue to expect heavy delays TCH southbound @ Helmcken. Our crew is hard at work on site. #yyjtraffic #HWY1 @DriveBC_VI @MainroadSIsland pic.twitter.com/EeELlL0ndF
— SPR Traffic Services (@sprtraffic) December 16, 2016