A couple of main streets in downtown Wheatley have partially reopened.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent reported on Tuesday that Talbot Road West and Erie Street South are opened once again after the original evacuation zone was further reduced and the fences around it came down on Monday. The municipality also said the street and traffic lights were activated on Tuesday.
Work on one of the gas wells continues and officials warn residents may notice hammering sounds because a conductor pipe will be driven over the original well.
"Operations on APEC 3 are underway, and work will continue through the week. A conductor pipe will be driven over the original well and residents may notice hammering sounds that are different from the work that was done on the APEC 2 well," said officials in a written update.
The Chief Building Official will also be rescinding orders placed on buildings once water, electricity, and natural gas have been reinstated by the utility and an inspection has been completed by Building Development Services. Property owners must call 3-1-1 and ask Building Development Services to schedule an inspection.
"It is expected that Building Development Services will complete this inspection within 24 hours of receiving the request," according to the municipality.
The work area is now on Erie Street North between Elm Street and Talbot Road East.
Hydrogen Sulphide was detected in the area about a year ago and an explosion in August of 2021 forced many downtown residents and property owners to evacuate the area while the municipality investigated what happened and repaired it.
