“Major” gas leak forces closure of Taschereau Boul. in Longueuil, Que.

A “major” natural gas leak has forced local police in Longueuil, Quebec, to restrict traffic along Taschereau Boulevard.

The incident was reported around 9:15 a.m., said a spokesman for the Service de Police de l'agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) Francois Boucher.

At that time, police closed the road in both directions. The lanes towards Brossard have now reopened.

The section of the boulevard between Curé-Poirier Boulevard and the Jacques-Cartier Bridge will remain closed indefinitely, says Boucher. The bridge is still accessible from the opposite direction.

The leak is probably caused by a broken underground gas pipeline, says Boucher, adding that gas supplier Énergir is conducting investigations on site.

He says people should avoid the area to allow for restricted traffic flow.

As a preventive measure, Hydro-Québec has cut off power to 473 customers along Taschereau Boulevard. Hydro-Québec expects power to be restored around 3 p.m. today.

No injuries were reported.