
CP Rail says it’s just a few days away from reopening between Kamloops and Vancouver, after heavy rainfall caused washouts on several areas of its track.
In an update Friday afternoon, CP says about 20 sections of the track have been cleared or repaired. It says repair work continues “around the clock” to fix washed-out sections of track.
“Work will continue through the weekend and, barring any unforeseen issues, we currently estimate service will be restored mid-week,” a brief news release says.
Both CN and CP Rail have been shut down since Sunday as a result of rainfall causing significant washouts and mudslides in the southern Interior and in the Fraser Valley.
It’s unclear when CN Rail will be ready to reopen its tracks, but early reports suggest it will also be running trains before the end of this month. NL News has reached out to CN Rail for an update and is waiting to hear back.
As widely reported, it will take much longer for highways to once again be operational between the south coast and the Interior compared to railways.
In an update yesterday, provincial officials confirmed the Coquihalla Highway will be closed for “months” between Hope and Merritt, and that the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon is on a similar timeline, from just south of Lytton to Spences Bridge.
Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton and Highway 99 west of Lillooet will likely reopen on the weekend, but likely for essential traffic only. An update from government officials on travel restrictions is expected to be announced as part of a news conference at 3:30 p.m.