Monday, May 21, 2012

HIGHWAY 63 TRANSPORT ACCIDENT
Silver Lady Lane Evacuation continues

While the City of North Bay understands the evacuation of Silver Lady Lane and other affected properties will cause significant disruption to local residents, it is imperative the life safety of our residents be the first priority.

Environmental experts are on site and have started to delineate the impacted area of contamination. Unpredictable winds and weather are contributing to the ability to manage the situation

Residents will not be permitted to enter their homes this evening.

The City advises municipal piped drinking water is not affected by this spill. The City has enhanced its testing protocol at the Water Treatment Plant as a precautionary measure.

A status update will be provided Tuesday morning as more detailed technical information is available.

Representatives of various agencies continue to investigate. The area has been secured by North Bay Police Services and Ontario Provincial Police.


FORMALDEHYDE LEAK UPDATE

The following is an update on specific aspects of the tanker collision and subsequent leakage of formaldehyde into Trout Lake.

Vehicle collision
Presently being investigated by the O.P.P. Inquiries about the vehicle collision should be directed to North Bay OPP.

Evacuation
Silver lady Lane has been evacuated and the evacuation will be maintained until 9:00 AM 22 May when the situation and contamination will be reassessed. An update will be released at that time.

Traffic
Hwy 63 is closed for through traffic between Lees Rd and Four Mile Lake Rd. Local residents of Anita Ave and areas west of Silver Lady Lane will be allowed to enter past Lee Av. Residents of Peninsula Rd, North Shore and areas east of Mitchell Rd will have to access their homes through Carmichael Dr to Four Mile Lake Rd to Hwy 63 where they will be allowed to pass. Regular through traffic will be detoured. Eastbound traffic will be detoured north on Lees Rd , east(left) on Tower Dr to Littledown Lane, north(right) on Littledown to Carmichael Dr, east(right) on Carmichael to Four Mile Lake Rd and east(right) on Four Mile Rd to Hwy 63. Westbound traffic will be the opposite. Transports originating in or going to northern Quebec are encouraged use Hwy 11 by crossing at New Liskeard.

City Water
There are NO concerns about North Bay City water. It is safe. Monitoring and testing is ongoing.

Water drawn from Lake
A quantity of formaldehyde did enter Trout Lake off of Silver Lady Lane. We advise the public not to use any water drawn from one mile bay particularly along the shore of Silver Lady Lane. We caution the area residents against entering the water or letting their pets enter or drink the water. Testing of the water will be conducted throughout the night and an update will be released in the morning.

Inquiries
The North Bay Police request that the public refrain from calling 911 or the police dispatch line at 705-472-1234. All inquiries can be made through phone # 705 -497-5589. This number will be staffed 24hrs a day.

Public Assurance
Along with emergency services, representatives of numerous specialized agencies have been involved in the confinement, clean up and public safety aspects of this incident. They include the Ministry of the Environment, Transport Canada, Canutec, City Water Specialists, Nipissing Health, and Civilian Hazardous Material Companies.

Anyone with information on these or any other crimes are asked to call Near north Crime Stoppers at
476-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-222TIPS (8477)
Submit tip online at our website www.nearnorthcrimestoppers.com
All tipsters remain anonymous