La Bailo Ground Movement: Citizens can return to their homes

Citizens in the La Baie sector of Saguenay can return to their homes after early evacuation due to fears of landslides.

• Also Read: Cracks in Foundations: Moved to La Baie on 2nd night outside for 15 people

Analysis of data collected in the field by engineers from the Ministry of Transport shows that there is no risk of earth movement in the embankment between the streets Saint-Stanislaus and des Melages.

The city of Saguenay initiated the evacuation Tuesday afternoon after a local citizen contacted 911 after seeing cracks in her home.

After two days, the crew reached the spot and the ground shook. “The damage observed at the building on rue Saint-Stanislaus is related to the building,” the city of Saguenay confirmed in a press release.

The La Baie terrain, with its many embankments, is prone to landslides like the one that occurred in June 2022.

Residents must pay an engineer

Other evacuated citizens are not at the end of their sentences, like the owners of the four residences on rue Saint-Stanislaus.

Officials suggest that it is their responsibility to hire a structural engineer at their own expense to assess the damage to the building.

“This engineer's ruling will allow or disallow the relocation of the building, as well as the deadlines for this. The Fire Safety Department will support the owners to facilitate this process,” the city said.

This sector has already been under analysis by the municipal services for some time.