A glimpse of Dallas road zen on a busy Friday morning in December - Mel Z
A glimpse of Dallas road zen on a busy Friday morning in December – Mel Z

Update from CRD: (2pm Friday)

As a result of a large diameter CRD water supply main break located along the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) between Burnside Road West and Helmcken Road, southbound traffic flow is expected to be impacted through the evening until late Friday.

There are no major water service interruptions expected as municipalities are being served via CRD Water Supply Mains #1 and #2. However, customers in the 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. In consultation with Island Health, the CRD confirms the water remains safe to drink.  (Media Release from CRD)

The sun pops up as you’re getting ready for work on a cold December morning. You punch the radio on in the kitchen only to hear the dreaded words that you never want to hear if you live anywhere west of Helmcken road…

Traffic backup on the #1 Highway. The Trans Canada Highway. The only major artery to and fro to get you from your refuge on the Westshore to Victoria.

A water main break in the wee hours of Friday morning delivered us a holiday package that Santa would never drop off under your tree. Traffic gridlock.

The story webcams show about the morning on Hwy 1 between Colwood and Helmcken exits from Drive BC.

Colwood – W Hwy 1, northbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking west.

3am Drive BC Webcam - Colwood - W Hwy 1, northbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking west.
3am Drive BC Webcam – Colwood – W Hwy 1, northbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking west.
7:42am Drive BC Webcam - Colwood - W Hwy 1, northbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking west.
7:42am Drive BC Webcam – Colwood – W Hwy 1, northbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking west.
8:30am Drive BC Webcam - Colwood - W Hwy 1, northbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking west.
8:30am Drive BC Webcam – Colwood – W Hwy 1, northbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking west.

A look from the same spot in Southbound camera view:

11:30pm Colwood - E Hwy 1, southbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking east.
11:30pm Colwood – E Hwy 1, southbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking east.
1am Colwood - E Hwy 1, southbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking east.
1am Colwood – E Hwy 1, southbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking east.
5:30am Colwood - E Hwy 1, southbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking east.
5:30am Colwood – E Hwy 1, southbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking east.
10am Colwood - E Hwy 1, southbound, near the View Royal/Colwood exit, looking east.
10am Colwood – E Hwy 1, southbound, near the View  Royal/Colwood exit, looking east.

From Twitter:

May the force be with you friends, whether you’re headed to work, Christmas shopping, for lunch with a friend or to see a Star Wars movie.

Updates on traffic at @ocean985 on Twitter and Drive BC

Mel Z – Middays 10am – 3pm on Ocean 98.5