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 a light rail transit subcontractor operating an excavator came into contact with a gas 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 Marlo Khoury.

Khoury, who was waiting at a crowded bus stop on Slater Street near O'Connor Street, said his bus to Carlsbad Springs was a half an hour late and it didn't appear he'd be going home anytime soon. 

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

Dozens of buses were lined up on Slater after having to change course to accommodate the unexpected street closures.

Commuters who parked their cars downtown in lots, such as the one at the World Exchange Plaza, also had to wait until about 5:45 p.m. to retrieve their cars once 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 of like a grown-up snow day," said O'Reilly.

Later in the afternoon D'Arcy McGees' gas was turned off, but O'Reilly said the pub took it in stride by simply serving dishes such as salad that 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 sunshiny outlook on that. I know 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."