West Coast Express to resume normal service after mudslide

Metro Vancouver’s only commuter rail line was suspended Thursday evening after a mudslide covered the Canadian Pacific Kansas City tracks in Maple Ridge.

After Friday morning’s trains ran only as far east as Maple Meadows Station, TransLink announced that normal service would resume for the afternoon commute, describing the “track issue” that had caused the disruption as “resolved.”

CPKC confirmed the mudslide in a brief email to CTV News Thursday, adding that “crews have responded to the scene.”

TransLink said the incident happened near Port Haney Station, prompting all service on the line to be “temporarily suspended.”

“West Coast Express customers are advised to take SkyTrain to Coquitlam Central Station,” the transit provider said.

“Extra bus service at the station will service the remaining West Coast Express stops. Extra staff are at Waterfront and Coquitlam Central stations to direct customers.”

• Related: Evacuation alerts issued along Chilliwack River as heavy rain drenches region

Trains operated at normally scheduled times on Friday morning, but only ran as far east as Maple Meadows Station. Additional bus service was brought in to transport riders to that stop from Mission City and Port Haney stations.

The mudslide occurred amid the fifth straight day of rain on the B.C. coast, part of a series of atmospheric rivers that have pummeled the province since Sunday.

Hundreds of millimetres of rain have fallen in some places, combining with runoff from melting mountain snow to swell rivers and increase the risk of landslides and flooding.

In Coquitlam Thursday morning, a landslide knocked out power lines and necessitated the long-line helicopter rescue of eight people and three pets who had been stranded in their homes.

• Read more: 8 people, 3 pets rescued after landslide knocks out power lines in Coquitlam, B.C.

A flood watch is in effect for much of the South Coast, and Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued an orange rainfall warning for the Fraser Valley and northeastern Metro Vancouver, including Maple Ridge.

“Localized flooding is likely,” the weather agency’s warning reads.

“Some roads may become impassable. Travel delays and/or cancellations are likely. Landslides may occur in vulnerable areas such as steep slopes, deforested areas or recent burn scars.”