An unplanned outage caused by an underground fire is affecting a significant part of downtown Winnipeg, causing Manitoba Hydro to go dark. The outage is due to an underground fire affecting Hydro’s equipment, with crews working to address the issue on Albert Street. Approximately 1,450 customers are expected to be affected by the outage, which may also impact traffic lights in the downtown core. The duration of the outage is uncertain, as repairs cannot begin until the extent of the damage is assessed underground.
Manitoba Hydro spokesperson Bruce Owen explained that in order to start repairs, a large portion of the underground electrical equipment needs to be de-energized, resulting in the downtown core going dark. The outage will also affect traffic lights, adding to the potential disruptions for drivers in the area. Owen emphasized the importance of assessing the extent of the damage underground before determining the timeline for repairs. Drivers are advised to expect delays and treat dark intersections as four-way stops to ensure safety during the outage.
The outage in downtown Winnipeg may last an indefinite period of time, with Manitoba Hydro working to address the underground equipment fire that caused the disruption. As crews continue to assess the damage and begin repairs, it is uncertain how long the outage will last and when power will be restored to the affected customers. The outage is expected to impact a significant portion of the downtown area, including traffic lights, which may lead to increased traffic congestion and delays for drivers in the vicinity.
Manitoba Hydro has not provided a specific timeline for when the downtown core’s power will be restored, as crews need to first evaluate the extent of the damage caused by the underground fire. The outage is necessary to allow for repairs to be made safely, but the inconvenience to customers and drivers in the affected area is acknowledged. As the situation unfolds, Manitoba Hydro will provide updates on the progress of repairs and when power is expected to be restored to downtown Winnipeg.
The underground equipment fire in downtown Winnipeg has prompted Manitoba Hydro to take precautionary measures by de-energizing a large portion of the electrical equipment, resulting in the outage affecting approximately 1,450 customers. The outage includes traffic lights, adding another layer of disruption for drivers navigating through the downtown core. With no clear timeline for when power will be restored, both customers and drivers are advised to prepare for delays and to exercise caution at dark intersections, treating them as four-way stops to ensure traffic safety during the outage.
While Manitoba Hydro addresses the underground fire affecting their equipment, repairs are underway in downtown Winnipeg, with crews working to assess the damage and begin the necessary repairs to restore power. The outage, impacting a significant portion of the downtown area, highlights the importance of maintaining the electrical infrastructure to prevent such incidents. As Manitoba Hydro continues to work on restoring power, updates will be provided to keep customers and drivers informed of the progress and any changes to the timeline for resolving the outage in downtown Winnipeg.
