It appears Wheatley will be celebrating a huge milestone along with Christmas this year.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is planning to re-open Erie Street in downtown Wheatley in about two weeks. The street has been closed since the great explosion in August of 2021.
Director of Public Works Ryan Brown said the plan is to open Erie Street to two lanes of traffic before Christmas and options for pedestrians are being reviewed, adding Erie Street will still be closed to large truck traffic.
Brown said fencing will be erected along both sides of Erie Street North in Wheatley in preparation for the re-opening of the street.
"Fences will be placed along much of the block immediately north of Talbot Road. Buildings along the west side of the block have prohibited access by CBO (Chief Building Officer) Order," said Brown in a news release issued Wednesday morning.
The municipality noted the evacuation zone on the east side of the street has been revised. Brown said that zone was recently reduced and there are no longer any single-family residences within that area.
The municipality said a scrubber system designed to capture Hydrogen Sulfide gas emissions at the site of earlier gas leaks in downtown Wheatley is now operating. Municipal officials noted filters in the unit will trap any Hydrogen Sulfide gas and reduce it to zero. Brown said the scrubber system will remain on site for at least six months and a long-term action plan will be made later.
The current flare stack onsite will remain as a backup system for the time being as an additional safety measure, according to the municipality.
A report will be coming to Chatham-Kent Council on Monday evening.
