Contractor speaks to Columbia Avenue gas leak
By Contributor
Ed. Note: The following is a press release issued by MarWest, the contractor hired for the project.
On May 24 at approximately 1:55 p.m. Fortis Gas was contacted about the break of a Gas Service pipe and resultant gas leak on Columbia Avenue in Castlegar, BC.
The response to the Service Line break required a coordinated effort between multiple entities including the City of Castlegar Public Works and Fire Department, MarWest, RCMP, and Fortis Gas.
The break happened while MarWest was utilizing the Asphalt Grinder/ Milling Machine on the City of Castlegar Columbia Avenue Complete Streets Project. The Gas Service Line, which was verified by BC One Call was identified as being 1/2 metre below grade, however its actual location was just below the asphalt.
Immediately equipment was shut down while vehicular and pedestrian traffic were re-routed around the incident site. Within 15 minutes Fortis Gas and Emergency vehicles were on-site to assess the situation. MarWest and Fortis Gas located the gas main and installed a valve to block the flow of gas. Approximately 53 residents were affected by the leak.
Although Emergency Services did not deem an evacuation necessary Columbia Avenue was shut down from approximately 13 Street to 15 Street while crews worked on the pipe. An emergency bypass road was utilized for just emergency vehicles during the road closure. When Emergency Services had completed their assessment access was granted to all but the immediate repair area.
By 6 p.m. the road was re-opened to single lane traffic and the MarWest crew worked diligently until 10 p.m. to ensure that the road would be opened to two-way traffic for this morning’s commute.
MarWest and the City of Castlegar realize this situation is of great inconvenience and apologizes for any impact.
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