C.P. Rail says line between Kamloops and Vancouver will reopen Tuesday

KAMLOOPS — Canadian Pacific says it will re-open its main rail line between Kamloops and Vancouver by mid-day Tuesday (Nov. 22).

The line has been out of service since last week’s storm led to widespread flooding and landslides.

In a news release, CP says the storm event that began Nov. 14 resulted in 30 damaged locations along the Thompson and Cascade subdivisions, including 20 that had a “significant loss of infrastructure.”

The cleanup and rebuilding efforts over the past week have seen CP crews and contractors move 150,000 cubic yards of material, the equivalent of 30,000 one-ton dump truck loads.

In addition, CP says more than 80 pieces of heavy equipment were employed to help get the track back open.

The company says it has coordinated with B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, allowing it to independently rebuild the grade for both its infrastructure and the Trans Canada Highway at Tank Hill east of Lytton.

CP Rail President and CEO Keith Creel praised his crews for their work getting the route ready to reopen, but noted there is still plenty of work to do.

“The following 10 days will be critical. As we move from response to recovery to full service resumption, our focus will be on working with customers to get the supply chain back in sync,” said Creel.