CP Rail hopes to restore service between Kamloops and the Coast by next week

By: Michael Potestio, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter,  Kamloops This Week

CP Rail expects to restore service between Kamloops and Vancouver by the middle of next week.

“Work will continue through the weekend and, barring any unforeseen issues, we currently estimate service will be restored mid-week,” a statement from CP Rail reads.

Multiple tracks were put out of commission this week by mudslides and flooding brought on by torrential rain on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 that has severed highways to the Lower Mainland and flooded communities, including Merritt, Abbotsford and Princeton.

According to a Nov. 19 news release from CP Rail, work to repair damaged infrastructure and restore service to the CP corridor between Kamloops and Vancouver “continues around the clock.”

The company said approximately 20 separate sections of track across the region have already been cleared or repaired, but did not specify how much is left to fix when asked by KTW.

The company said it’s working with local and provincial authorities to co-ordinate the delivery of critical materials, equipment, food and fuel as CP crews work to restore service.
It’s not clear how much more needs to be cleared or repaired or if CP Rail is using alternate routes and/or co-ordinating with CN Rail to do so.