3:20 p.m., July 11
Wilson Avenue in Port Coquitlam is now open in both directions after more than two weeks of investigations and restoration of an apartment fire.
The corridor's 15-day closure between Shaughnessy Street and Mary Hill Road was the aftermath of a large blaze that displaced dozens of local residents from the Mary Hill Place complex on June 25 and 26.
Regular bus commutes have also been restored for those commuting to Coquitlam Central SkyTrain and the Port Coquitlam West Coast Express station.
This includes TransLink routes 170, 173 and 174.
It's still not clear what caused the fire, as of this update (July 11).
However, displaced residents have been helped by the city and the community via free garage sales, food vouchers and other necessities.
10 a.m., June 27
It appears some transit detours and road closures are still in effect in the wake of a large Port Coquitlam apartment fire over the weekend.
Mary Hill Place along Wilson Avenue was engulfed in flames that blanketed the neighbourhood with smoke Saturday night (June 25), forcing the displacement of dozens of residents from the complex.
PoCo fire crews extinguished the blaze in the early hours of Sunday morning (June 26) and the incident is now in the hands of the RCMP, said Mayor Brad West in a social media update.
"All displaced residents that were impacted have been secured housing and provided all necessary support, including food, clothing, and all essentials," he said as those impacted were given temporary shelter inside the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC).
"The city continues to prioritize individualized care and attention to those who had their life turned upside down by this event."
As a result of the incident and the ongoing investigation, Wilson Avenue is currently closed between Shaughnessy Street and Mary Hill Road, and transit has been altered for those that frequent the residential corridor.
According to TransLink, route 170 heading east along Wilson Avenue to the Port Coquitlam West Coast Express station (WCE) is set to be redirected south on Shaughnessy and then east onto Kelly Avenue.
The bus will then head north Mary Hill Road before resuming its regular route.
Meanwhile, those needing to take 170 south will venture from its regular intersection stop at Wilson Avenue to north on Kingsway before turning left at Maple Street.
The bus will then make a right at Wilson Avenue before resuming its regular route south on Shaughnessy.
As well, local residents looking to get to Coquitlam Central SkyTrain Station from downtown PoCo will see its regular bus on a new route.
The 173 and 174 buses is being diverted like the 170 to PoCo WCE stop — Wilson to south on Shaughessy to east on Kelly to north on Mary Hill then east to the station, and vice versa.
It's not known, as of this publication (June 27), how long Wilson Avenue will be closed between Shaughessy and Mary Hill Road.
For more information on mapping your transit route through Port Coquitlam, you're encouraged to visit TransLink's website.
