Rail disruption hits Halifax

News 25 Jul 2023 by WCN Editorial

Rail service has been suspended after a washout on the rail line that connects to the Port of Halifax.

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A major rainstorm over the 21 to 23 July period has caused flooding and widespread damage in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada.

The province’s main container port, the Port of Halifax, is served by only one railroad, Canadian National (CN). The CN line near Truro, some 90km from Halifax, suffered a major washout, with a large section of track currently suspended over a washed-out gully and culvert.

“Due to the extreme rainfall and related flooding across Nova Scotia this past weekend, rail service for the Port of Halifax is temporarily disrupted,” the port said in a notice. “We are working closely with PSA Halifax and CN to manage the placement of cargo in and around the terminals and rail yards. Vessel service at the terminals has not been impacted. CN is working to assess damage and prepare for any repairs. It’s too early to say when service will resume.”

CN has issued a statement saying that it has already restored much of the damage caused in the flooding, and all its tracks in Nova Scotia are passable with the exception of the line connecting Truro to Halifax. Halifax handled over 600,000 TEU in 2022, but the majority of that volume is local cargo and/or arrives or leaves by truck. CN has previously stated that the line through Nova Scotia is the least utilised in its network.