Gas leak inconveniences businesses, transit users in downtown Ottawa

Hundreds of transit riders were left waiting in the rain for buses that were rerouted Tuesday after a major gas leak shut down several blocks in downtown Ottawa.

The leak happened at around 1:30 p.m. after alight rail transit subcontractor operating an excavatorcame into contact with agas line on Queen Street, according to a spokesperson with the Rideau Transit Group, the consortium building Ottawa's LRT system.

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It's been a heck of a wait," said transit rider MarloKhoury.

Khoury, who waswaiting at a crowdedbus stop on Slater Street near O'Connor Street, said his bustoCarlsbadSprings was a half an hour late and it didn't appear he'dbe going home anytime soon.

"I'm waiting a long, long time," he said.

Dozens ofbuses were lined up on Slater after having to change courseto accommodate the unexpected street closures.

Commuters who parked their cars downtown in lots, such as the oneatthe World Exchange Plaza, also had to wait until about 5:45 p.m.to retrieve their carsonce streets reopened.

'Positive attitudes will always prevail'

Enbridge said about 34 customers were left without gas. As a result, many businesses were forced close for the day.

"It was kind oflike a grown-upsnow day," saidO'Reilly.

Later in the afternoonD'ArcyMcGees' gas was turned off, butO'Reilly said the pub took it in stride bysimply servingdishes such as saladthat didn't require cooking on a gas stove.

"When things happen that are inconveniencing a lot of people it's great for people to have a bright and sunshinyoutlook on that. Iknow even for my staff buses were rerouted, drivers weren't telling people that they were rerouted, why they were rerouted, where they were rerouted to," he said.

"There's going to be a little bit of chaos, so cooler heads and positive attitudes will always prevail."