Train derailment on bridge in Winnipeg unusual, but not cause for alarm: expert

No injuries were reported but a train came off the tracks, closing a major thoroughfare in Winnipeg Friday, as crews responded to what railway officials say was a “slow speeds” derailment.

On Friday afternoon, police say traffic was closed during rush hour due to the derailment, which happened at the overpass of the CPKC Rail yard — formerly CP Rail — near the intersection of Logan Avenue and McPhillps Street.

Information from the railway indicated that all of the derailed cars involved remained upright and there were no leaks or spills, nor were there any dangerous goods involved, with CPKC saying it “regrets the inconvenience the incident has caused motorists.”

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service says there were no injuries and no indications of any spills.

Stressing she is glad there were no injuries, Premier Heather Stefanson told reporters there will be discussions between government and industry about the presence of railways in the city — and these types of incidents moving forward.

“Manitoba is certainly uniquely positioned as a bit of a transportation hub in North America and I think rail is going to be a part of that moving forward, so having solutions to this sort of issue moving forward is going to be important.”

She says she is planning on discussing it soon with Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham.

Stefanson’s predecessor, former premier Brian Pallister, axed a plan by the former NDP government in 2016 to spend $400,000 on a study on rail relocation.

One expert says while the occurrence is uncommon, there’s no need for alarm as a result of

“We’ve got 30,000 miles of railway track across the country, in fact, I don’t remember ever actually hearing of one on a bridge — I’m sure they do occur — but this is quite unusual that it’s on a bridge and that perhaps has attracted extra attention,” said Professor Barry Prentice, logistics expert and head at the Transport Institute at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business.

He says there are safeguards in place to try and minimize accidents in urban areas.

“Every train going East-West in this country is going through Winnipeg and we don’t see many problems, and that’s because the railways are very careful. [FLASH] “There are speed limits. The trains are moving relatively slowly and that’s a safety issue, and of course, the tracks are being used constantly, and there’s people always seeing them. If there is a problem, it’s more likely to be detected than if it’s a track problem way out in the countryside.”

For some who work in the area, like Luis Ferreina, a long-time employee at City Pawn and Sales, say the derailment is a bit unnerving.

“Of course, we’re worried about it, not just for the business itself, but for the safety of everyone who comes here and works here as well,” explained Ferreina.

Information from the transportation safety board of Canada indicates since 1998, there have been at least 24 railway incidents investigated in the province, and Ferrenia says while the underpass is no stranger to closure, this is the first time in his 10-year run at the shop he’s seen a train derail.

“This road has been closed a lot. A lot of things happen in the underpass, especially when it rains, there’s a lot of flood. That, yes. But because of the train, no. That was the first time that’s ever happened.”

-With files from the Canadian Press