A significant water flow incident occurred on Highway 85 in Kitchener on Wednesday afternoon, disconcerting drivers. A local resident captured the event, describing a “waterfall” effect as water cascaded over a barrier onto the highway.
Incident Overview
Around noon, the resident observed water pouring from the demolished Frederick Street Bridge, leading to traffic delays as it pooled on the roadway. A video sent to 570 NewsRadio visually documented the situation, highlighting the volume of water.
Response to the Situation
- Kitchener Utilities promptly responded to the incident.
- A valve was closed to shut off the water approximately one hour after reports began.
Initially, Kitchener Utilities announced a water main break at 460 Frederick Street. However, a city spokesperson later clarified that no water main break had occurred. Instead, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) contractor was conducting repairs related to the Frederick Street Bridge reconstruction project.
Area Context and Implications
This incident happened within the Mannheim Service Area, which is currently under scrutiny due to revealed water capacity issues. These challenges pose hurdles for the region’s development plans.
The situation highlights the importance of efficient infrastructure management and timely responses to unexpected events, particularly as they affect local commuters.
