The City of Repentigny is asking the federal Transport Ministry to consider permanently reducing train speeds in urban areas following a major derailment earlier this month in a residential neighbourhood.
No one was injured and there were no fires or leaks of hazardous materials, but the incident that saw dozens of railcars heaped across the tracks just steps from people’s backyards spooked the community.
City council passed a resolution Tuesday asking Ottawa to “reassess the speed limits applicable to rail trains travelling in densely populated urban areas.”
It also asked the federal government to temporarily reduce train speeds in the city until a Transportation Safety Board investigation of the incident is complete.
“These requests are made with the aim of preventing public safety incidents and restoring citizens’ sense of security,” Repentigny Mayor Nicolas Dufour said in a video posted on Facebook.
Repentigny residents shaken after train derailed just metres away from their homes
Transport Canada has already temporarily reduced speed limits for trains passing through Repentigny from the normal 80 km/h to 15 km/h.
“These reduced speeds will remain in effect until all required inspections, testing, and follow-up work have been completed to help ensure the continued safe operation of the railway,” the ministry said in a statement last week.
Railway operations have been gradually resuming in Repentigny since last week.
Freight train speed limits vary widely depending on a number of factors including types of track, types of cargo, population density and time of year.
Ottawa has reduced speeds for freight trains carrying dangerous goods through urban areas in response to derailments in the past, after the deadly Lac Mégantic disaster in 2013, and again in 2020 following two fiery derailments in Guernsey, Sask.
The mayor of Repentigny was not available for an interview Wednesday.
The federal transport minister and CN rail did not respond to CBC’s requests for comment.
