Update
Toast, hot coffee and tea, and warm porridge are back on the breakfast menu for residents of Queensborough, after electricity was finally restored at 5:25am Thursday by City of New Westminster crews.
That’s more than 27 hours after the power went out because of an electrical fire under the Queensborough Bridge.
Traffic was blocked in both directions at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, and didn’t start moving again until Wednesday afternoon.
Traffic nightmare
The Queensborough Bridge is now open northbound, with one lane open southbound, but power remains out to about 8,000 customers in the area.
Pedestrian access is available on the east side of the bridge only.
The bridge was shut down completely around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday after a fire was discovered coming from a manhole under the bridge.
The fire took out a high voltage cable and three circuits in the region, knocking out power to thousands.
Best case scenario, the remaining residents will be without power for another 14 to 15 hours, if the cables can be repaired.
If they can’t, the power will be out for longer.
The fire chief tells Global News it could be days before power is restored to all the homes and businesses.
The cables are about 20 years old and are serviced by the City of New Westminster Electrical Department – the oldest continuously operating electrical utility in B.C., independent of BC Hydro.
Meanwhile, the bridge deck is still closed in both directions, but is expected to re-open partially in the next few hours. There is no structural damage to the bridge.
WATCH: Press conference on the Queensborough Bridge update:
Due to the power outage, any schools in the Queensborough area are also closed. Parents are advised to check the school’s website for updates on opening days and times.
Drivers should still allow for extra time for their commute. All the feeder routes to the bridge are either closed or being diverted. Traffic is being diverted off Highway 91 and Marine Way to keep traffic from piling up. The 20Ave, Stewardson Way and Marine Way on-ramps are all closed as well.
WATCH: Queensborough Bridge closure: aerials
Transit affected
Transit is affected this morning due to his closure as buses do cross the Queensborough Bridge.
Here are the details of the buses being affected.
No service to/from 22 St Stn.
Regular route around the island to Ewen & Howes then via Ewen, Boundary, Westminster, 6 Rd to Cambie connecting there to 410 service.Then reverse routing back to Annacis Island.
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340 22 St Hwy 91 and 72nd then 72 Ave, Scott Rd to Scott Road Stn.
340 Scottsdale Ex From Scott Rd Stn. Route via Scott Rd, 72 Ave, Hwy 91 then regular route.
388 Carvolth Ex From Scott Rd Stn. via Scott Rd, 96 Ave, 114 St, 92A Ave, 112 ,Nordel Way then Regular route.
410 22 St Stn From Ewen & Howes via Ewen, Boundary, Westminster, 6 Rd , Bridgeport, Knight St Bridge, Marine Dr, 7 Ave to 22nd St Stn.
410 Railway From 22 St Stn Via 7 Ave, Marine Dr, Knight St Bridge, Bridgeport, 6 Road, Cambie regular route.
C98 Kingswood From 22 St Stn Via 7 Ave, Marine, Knight Bridge, Bridgeport, 6 Rd, Westminster Nelson regular route.
C98 22 St Stn Via Nelson, Westminster, 6 Rd . Bridgeport, Knight Bridge, Marine, 7 Ave to 22 St Stn.
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