A watermain break at 97 Avenue and Bellamy Hill Road caused some traffic tie-ups in central Edmonton on Thursday afternoon.
A spokesperson for EPCOR said crews were called to the scene after the break was reported at 12:43 p.m. He asked for drivers to avoid the area until repairs are made.
Westbound 97 Avenue has been closed at Bellamy Hill Road along with the right-turn lane from southbound Bellamy Hill Road onto 97 Avenue.
While 97 Avenue is often busy during rush hour, it could be especially busy on Thursday night as the Edmonton Prospects are scheduled to host the Medicine Hat Mavericks for a baseball game at RE/MAX Field at 7 p.m.
Late Thursday afternoon, EPCOR said water will be turned off in the area. Shortly before 6:30 p.m., the water was turned off but it wasn’t immediately clear how many houses would be impacted by the move. A temporary hose was hooked up to RE/MAX Field so that the baseball game would not be impacted.
A spokesperson for the City of Edmonton also suggested the issue could result in delays for people trying to attend Friday’s K-Days Parade.
“As this will impact people planning to attend the parade tomorrow, please plan for extra time in getting to and leaving the downtown area,” the spokesperson said.