UPDATE, Oct. 17:
FortisBC communications advisor Nicole Bogdanovic said this afternoon that crews are continuing to make repairs on the damaged gas line in South Quesnel.
“They are now backfilling the excavated area. One southbound lane will remain closed until the repair is complete,” said Bogdanovic.
FortisBC said the lane would likely be open by the end of the work day, around 5 p.m.
UPDATE, 4:50 P.M., Oct. 16:
FortisBC’s communication advisor has provided an update on the gas leak on Dragon Lake Hill, south of Quesnel.
“Our crews have gas under control, but it’s likely they will need to come back in the morning to complete repairs. At this point we are expecting one southbound lane to be closed overnight,” said Nicole Bogdanovic.
UPDATE:
A communications advisor with FortisBC has confirmed that a FortisBC gas line near Dragon Lake Hill has been damaged in two places by a third party who nicked the gas line while working in the area.
“We are making repairs to the damaged section of the line. The first section was fairly straightforward and is under control. Crews are now working on the second,” said FortisBC communications advisor Nicole Bogdanovic.
One lane of Highway 97 south is currently closed to allow crews to work in the area. Bogdanovic said the are unable to estimate how long the lane will be closed for, but they are not anticipating needing to close any other lanes.
“This is a good reminder for people to call us before they dig,” said Bogdanovic.
ORIGINAL POST:
Drivers on Highway 97 at Dragon Lake Hill may notice the smell of natural gas in the air.
Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department was called to a potential gas leak in the area at 11 a.m. today (Oct. 16). FortisBC is now at the scene and confirmed there is a leak. Employees said they are currently investigating to determine the extent of the leak. Fortis workers are working adjacent to Highway 97, near Dragon Hill Road and beside Quesnel Door Shop.
The highway currently remains fully open to traffic at this time.
A request for more information from FortisBC’s media line has not yet been answered.
More to come.
READ MORE: Gas flowing again along FortisBC’s Enbridge pipeline
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