The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has identified multiple structural deficiencies in a section of CN Rail tracks near Repentigny, Quebec, following a freight train derailment on 5 July. Investigators found missing or displaced rail anchors, skewed ties, and signs of friction between spikes and ties, with rails shifting by up to nine centimetres in some areas.
Safety concerns prompt calls for action
In a 10 July advisory to Transport Canada, Vincenzo De Angelis, the safety board’s director of rail and pipeline investigations, warned that such defects could compromise track stability and increase the risk of derailment. He urged federal authorities to verify the integrity of the affected sections and report on corrective measures.
Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour described the rail infrastructure as “dilapidated” and demanded immediate repairs, noting the line runs through a residential neighbourhood. The city council has also called for permanent speed reductions on freight trains in populated areas.
Speed and temperature factors under scrutiny
Investigators noted the train was travelling at 77 km/h in 29°C heat on the day of the incident. Transport Canada mandates a 16 km/h speed reduction when temperatures reach 30°C due to thermal expansion risks. The agency has since imposed a temporary 15 km/h speed limit in the area pending further inspections.
Transport Canada confirmed it is collaborating with the safety board to ensure compliance with safety protocols. The investigation remains ongoing, with potential recommendations to address the identified deficiencies. CN Rail has not yet responded to requests for comment.
