NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — Crews were scrambling to reopen a local bridge in New Westminster, B.C., that was closed when an overnight fire destroyed high voltage electrical cables under it, setting off commuter chaos on Wednesday.
Officials say the blaze forced the closure of the Queensborough Bridge, which connects New Westminster to Highway 91, a key commuter link in Metro Vancouver.
Mayor Jonathan Cote says B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation determined the fire did not cause structural damage to the bridge and it is expected it will be partially reopened to traffic sometime in the afternoon.
"There's no doubt this incident has created significant disruption," Cote said of having to close a bridge that carries about 80,000 vehicles daily. "Our priority right now is the residents in Queensborough who are without power and making sure that things are in place to deal with, potentially, a long power outage."
#Breaking Queensborough Bridge to partially open later today. New West Mayor Jonathon Cote. pic.twitter.com/JMi7d7eQK8
— Martin MacMahon (@martinmacmahon) October 25, 2017
The Queensborough Bridge is now open to northbound traffic. Pedestrian access is available on the east side of the bridge only. #NewWest
— New_Westminster (@New_Westminster) October 25, 2017
The fire damaged power lines, knocking out electricity to the Queensborough community, shutting down schools and businesses and affecting about 20,000 people living in the neighbourhood.
The City of New Westminster manages its own electrical utility, and Cote says it's unclear how long it will take to restore power.
Rod Carle, head of the city's electrical utility, says crew are assessing the damage to determine if power lines can be repaired, rerouted from the other side of the bridge or if they will need to install temporary power lines.
He said a repair could take up to 15 hours and the city is working with BC Hydro to explore options to deliver power from other substations.
Here's the cause of this morning's traffic chaos—the Queensborough Bridge, completely closed. Crews are now midspan assessing fire damage. pic.twitter.com/7XAmx5sRbQ
— Sarah MacDonald (@CTVSarah) October 25, 2017
Lots of signs like this in New Westminster today. Businesses are closed—after their power was knocked out by the Queensborough Bridge fire. pic.twitter.com/BLVhVCsfKG
— Sarah MacDonald (@CTVSarah) October 25, 2017
The Queensborough Bridge is completely closed this morning due to an electrical fire. Officials expect power to be out for up to 10 hours. pic.twitter.com/8ZG2ge3GI0
— Sarah MacDonald (@CTVSarah) October 25, 2017
"They're currently looking at their system now to determine if we could back something up if we had to," he said.
Carle added that other telecommunications lines are also carried across the bridge, but it's unclear if that infrastructure was damaged.
Fire officials say it may be impossible to determine the exact cause of the blaze.
