A New Brunswick politician is concerned about the deteriorating condition of train tracks that run through his Miramichi riding, in the wake of a recent derailment in the province.
MLA Bill Fraser says there “seems to be a lot” of problems with the tracks running through his town.
“There are skid plates that are supposed to secure the rail that have bolts that are missing, there are these rail ties that are split in two,” he told CTV News.
After contacting the Miramichi fire department, Fraser learned that large quantities of gasoline and diesel are shipped on the line. He informed the province and contacted CN -- the owner of the rails -- about possible safety hazards on the track.
And residents living nearby have been lobbying Fraser to address the issue.
“I hope that the repairs will be done in at timely manner,” said Miramichi resident Eleanor Morrison.
Another New Brunswick MLA, Bertrand Leblanc, said the “security of this line should be of utmost importance.”
“This line is very important to my community, to my region,” he said.
In a statement, CN says the track in question is in safe operating condition. The company insists the track is inspected three times per week, and that it meets all CN and Transport Canada standards.
A recent CN freight train derailment near Plaster Rock -- about 175 kilometres west of Miramichi -- forced more than 100 people to flee their homes after cars carrying propane and crude oil derailed on Jan. 7.
The federal Transportation Safety Board said on Jan. 13 that it would conduct an investigation on the cause of the derailment, with specific focus on a cracked wheel.
After a preliminary investigation, CN spokesman Jim Feeny said the company believed the train may have derailed due to a wheel and axle failure.
The subject of rail safety has become a pressing issue since the July, 2013 explosion in Lac-Megantic, Que. that killed 47 people.
With files from CTV’s Atlantic Bureau Chief Todd Battis and The Canadian Press
