Massive sinkhole in Vancouver

Massive sinkhole in Vancouver
Gas line reportedly struck
News1130 Staff Dec 12, 2010 19:11:27 PM
5 Comment(s) 28 Recommendation(s) VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Southeast Marine Drive will be closed to traffic between Fraser and St. George until at least Tuesday because of a giant sinkhole that opened in one of the eastbound lanes earlier this afternoon.

The pavement gave in at Poplar, just west of Fraser Street. The sinkhole measures about 30 feet by 15 feet and is 20 feet deep. Another 10 feet of pavement was undermined on the north side of the hole.

All three eastbound lanes and a portion of the westbound lanes are affected. No one was injured, but businesses in the area have been evacuated.

News1130's Denise Wong has been speaking with one neighbour who saw the pavement cave in. "According to him, the car sped over it and that caused the area to fall completely in."

She says there's a strong smell of gas in the air because a gas line has also been ruptured. Something Lieutenant Mike Mattu with Vancouver Fire tells us is their primary concern. "Anytime you have gas, there is a chance of explosion. What we've done is we've cordoned off the area and called Terasen gas in. They are calling a crew in, which is coming from Port Coquitlam. City water was called in to shut off the water as well."

Mattu says the water main may have already been leaking, which could have caused this to happen. Either that or the heavy rainfall we've seen could have weakened the spot.

Water service is expected to be restored through a temporary service by 10 o'clock tonight. Terasen Gas crews also hope to have service restored later this evening.

Drivers are advised to use Fraser or Main for detours. News1130 will keep you in the loop with details as they come in and News1130 Traffic has updates every 10 minutes on the ones.