Eastbound Portage Avenue closed Wednesday morning by gas leak

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg’s busiest thoroughfare was closed to eastbound traffic from just before 10 a.m. until about noon Wednesday because of a gas leak at the Newport Center.

Police closed down the area around 330 Portage Ave., just across Hargrave Street from the MTS Centre, to secure the area, and the building was evacuated.

Eastbound Portage from Carlton Street to Hargrave and Hargrave between Portage and Graham Avenue were closed.

The gas leak, which could be heard from across the street and caused a strong smell of gas in the area, was stopped shortly before noon.

A construction worker who had been working in the lane behind 330 Portage told Global News a gas line had been breached.