A semblance of normalcy

While the gas stations still seem to be out of gas and the natural gas pipeline and fibre optic link between Terrace and Rupert still needs to be fixed, things are being reported as returning to normal in the Northwest.

The Vancouver Province compiled the check list of woe and updated the province as to the state of their northern neighbours.

Some normalcy returning to Terrace and Prince Rupert
Andy Ivens
The Province
Monday, June 11, 2007

Life is taking on a semblance of normalcy in Terrace and Prince Rupert, which were almost cut off from the rest of B.C. by mudslides and flooded highways.

"The [flood] risk is not over in the northwest of the province, so we still have to remain cautious on that side," Jim Whyte, director of operations for the Provincial Emergency Program, said yesterday.

The Bulkley and Skeena rivers continued to fall, "but we still have some significant issues to deal with."

"The Pacific Northern Gas line between Terrace and Prince Rupert suffered a failure [Saturday] night," but there's still enough gas in the line to last perhaps until tomorrow, when the line is expected to be repaired.

PNG's Tom Leach said the failure occurred where the line crosses a back channel of the Skeena "due to high volumes of water."

Leach said the repair crews were expected to begin working last night and take two days to patch the line.

The coast guard vessel Sir Wilfrid Laurier dropped off 100,000 litres of diesel in Prince Rupert. A Petro-Canada barge loaded with fuel is expected in Prince Rupert today.

Don Ramsey of the Transportation Ministry said work is progressing well on the mudslide that shut down Highway 16 east of Terrace on May 28.

The highway was reopened for daylight travel on Saturday.

About 25 kilometres west of Terrace, Highway 16 was open to alternating one-lane traffic.
CN Rail hopes to restore service today or tomorrow.

- A blocked pipe caused the City of Terrace to pump treated effluent into the Skeena River from its sewage lagoons.

That triggered boil-water advisories for the communities of Braun's Island, New Remo and Old Remo downstream.

aivens@png.canwest.com