A major water main break has flooded several buildings and forced the closure of part of De Lorimier Avenue in the Laurier East area.
At least one nearby residence has water inside, though it’s not yet clear whether any occupants will need to evacuate.
The break, involving a 20-inch pipe, has closed De Lorimier Ave. between Masson Street and Saint-Joseph Blvd. in both directions. Motorists are advised to avoid the area until further notice due to high water flow and road closures.
Municipal teams are on site to secure the area and implement closures, while the Montreal police (SPVM) manages traffic. The City’s Drinking Water Branch (DEP) is en route to carry out emergency repair operations, which are expected to last for an indefinite period.
A salt truck was dispatched to the scene as freezing temperatures caused icy conditions.
The cause of the break has not yet been determined. City officials note that sustained investments in recent years have cut the rate of water main breaks in half, and plan to invest $7.3 billion over the next decade to modernize and strengthen the water infrastructure network.