Construction crews working on the new $23.2 million Ãcole Qayqayt Elementary School hit a gas line on Monday morning, forcing traffic diversions in that area of the city and prompting a request that area residents ventilate their homes.
A work crew excavating at the former St. Mary's Hospital site at Merrivale Street and Royal Avenue struck and ruptured a six-inch gas line at about 8 a.m. on June 3. New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services attended and contacted Fortis B.C.
"Gas was shut down to the area by Fortis B.C.," said Blair Fryer, the city's communications manager. "New Westminster Fire will be working with Fortis crews to go door-to-door to residences in the area impacted between Queens Avenue and Columbia Street and between First and Third streets. Essentially, they are checking on the status of the gas systems."
According to Fryer, the gas supply to about 160 residences was impacted when Fortis B.C. shut down the gas to deal with the ruptured line.
After getting a call shortly before 8 a.m., the fire department established a mobile command centre on scene, and closed street access to the area between Sixth Street and McBride Boulevard, and between Royal Avenue and Agnes Street.
The road closures, which were in effect until about 11: 40 a.m., resulted in traffic congestion in other parts of the city and forced trucks off route onto Sixth Street and other roads.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services asked residents in the immediate area of the site to open their windows to allow any airborne gas to dissipate.
