After the derailment of several trains hauling hazardous materials, namely crude oil, Transport Canada has issued new orders around the speed of these trains, which are now classified as “key trains” and “higher-risk key trains.”
Railroad tank cars transporting TIH (toxic inhalation hazard) substances in Canada will be required to have heads and shells constructed of normalized steel under updated Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations established by Transport Canada. The new rules, which take effect July 2, 2021, are consistent with updated U.S. regulations. Normalized steel undergoes heat treatment that increases its durability and resistance to cracking at low temperatures.
Transport Canada on Sept. 19 issued Protective Direction 39, which accelerates phase-out of non-jacketed (no thermal layer of protection) CPC-1232 tank cars for crude oil service as of Nov. 1, 2018, 17 months earlier than originally mandated. In addition, non-jacketed CPC-1232 and older DOT-111 tank cars will be prohibited from transporting condensates as of Jan. 1, 2019, more than six years ahead of schedule.
The government of Canada will invest C$3.3 million ($2.56 million) in 18 projects in the province of Alberta aimed at improving rail safety. The funds are part of Transport Canada’s Rail Safety
Ottawa is looking north in its latest plans to boost transportation infrastructure development.
Authorities in Canada want better safety training for rail employees following a 2016 runaway incident.
The government of Canada is committing C$18.4 million ($14.6 million) to the Port of Montreal for a rail project aimed at keeping the maritime gateway competitive in a changing global supply chain.
Canada’s federal government will help fund replacement of VIA Rail locomotives and rolling stock on the country’s most heavily-traveled passenger rail corridor.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released its preliminary transportation occurrence statistics for 2017. Total railway incidents were up, but still in line with five-year averages.
A plan to move a rail line from out of downtown Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, received financial backing from the federal government of Canada, but no solid dollar amount.
