Media Advisory
(Friday, February 15,2002 , 9p.m.) Halifax Regional Fire Services have conducted an evacuation of homes in Dartmouth this evening in the neighbourhoods from Windmill Road to the harbourfront, bounded by Dawson Street in the west and Geary Street in the east. The evacuation was being carried out between 6 pm.and 9pm . as a precautionary measure to facilitate the transfer of propane from an overturned rail car in the area near the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge.
Residents living within the evacuation area have been encouraged to seek alternate overnight accommodations. The Red Cross have opened a temporary Reception Centre at the Findlay Recreation Centre, located at 26 Elliot Street, off Prince Albert Road, near Sullivan's Pond in Dartmouth. Findlay Centre will remain open throughout the night until tomorrow morning.
The power will be shut off in the evacuation area at approximately 9 pm. It is possible that some streets surrounding the evacuation area may also lose power. In spite of potential loss of power, residents outside the evacuation area will not be required to evacuate due to the power being turned off.
The Angus L. Macdonald Bridge will be closed to traffic at approximately 9 pm. A number of Metro Transit buses will be required to re-route as a result of the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge closure .The Route # 1 Spring Garden, # 10 Dalhousie and any other routes which normally travel across the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge will travel an alternate route across the MacKay Bridge and down Wyse Road. The Route # 51 Shannon will be rerouted via Pelzant Street between Windmill Road and Wyse Road instead of travelling its regular routing along Windmill Road to Faulkner Street. The Ferry Service is operating on regular schedule. It is anticipated all bus service will resume its regular routing by 9am Saturday morning. For further bus information please call 490-4000.
It is anticipated that residents in the evacuated area will be able to return to their homes by 9 a.m. Saturday morning.For further updates on the status of the evacuation, please call the HRM Call Centre at 490-4000 which will remain open throughout Friday night. The HRM Web Site, at www.halifax.ca, will be updated again tomorrow morning at approximately 7 a.m.
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Contact: Lori Patterson
Acting HRM Public Information Officer
Cellular: 489-6833
