'Expect major congestion': Malahat highway reopens to alternating traffic

The Malahat highway reopened to single-lane alternating traffic Tuesday morning.

Road maintenance contractor Emcon Services says a geotechnical assessment of a portion of the highway that was heavily damaged by floodwaters Monday is now complete.

Work crews are planning to partially reopen the highway between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Heavy rainfall and ground instability forced the closure of the main highway between Victoria and the Cowichan Valley on Monday afternoon.

The closure stranded countless travellers and prompted BC Ferries to operate the Mill Bay ferry across the Saanich Inlet overnight.

Hundreds of cars were already lined up at the Brentwood Bay ferry terminal, waiting to cross the inlet, by 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

One woman waiting in the line said local residents had provided coffee and blankets to those waiting to board the small ferry.

B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Tuesday that an "unbelievable" amount of rain flooded the Malahat in the Goldstream area.