Work is underway to open some streets in downtown Wheatley that have been closed due to last summer’s gas explosion.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said Talbot Street East and West, along with Erie Street South could be reopened as early as next week.
The news comes just days after the municipality reduced the size of the evacuation zone for the second time, allowing more Wheatley residents to access their homes and businesses.
Contractors are also continuing to investigate the two remaining uncapped wells. The municipality said investigators are conducting tests on the well located at the far end of the municipal parking lot, to determine if the well was originally drilled for water or gas. The findings will then inform the municipality on how to proceed with remediation.
A total of 67 households and 44 business properties were evacuated following the explosion in Wheatley on August 26 that destroyed one building and injured 20 people.