December 1, 2021 | Circular No. 11358

Dear Member,

You will find below the most recent updates on rail, highway and port operations in British Columbia following the flooding and mudslides that occurred earlier last week and the latest wave of storms that are occuring this week:

Rail Operations

  • CP’s mainline between Vancouver and Kamloops remains in use, with CN sharing access for balanced east / west movements.  The line continues to be subject to intermittent periods of assessment and maintenance as conditions on the ground evolve.
  • CN’s mainline between Kamloops and Boston Bar remains out of service.  CN has set late Friday evening as a tentative date for re-opening (although there are still many variables at play).

Highway Operations

  • Numerous highways remain closed or under travel advisories, and additional closures may occur in response to evolving environmental conditions.  Highway routes that have been restored may experience detours, intermittent closures and restrictions on non-essential traffic.
  • The stretch of Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack remains closed, cutting of a crucial artery that connects Metro Vancouver and the rest of the province.
  • Highway 3, which has been re-opened, is likely to be the province’s main highway route for the transportation of essential goods into the interior for the next several months
  • CBSA reports a significant increase in the movement of in-bond trucks transiting into the US and then returning to Canada (145 trucks on Monday and 248 trucks on Tuesday vs double digits last week).  Use of this option is expected to grow as other routes remain out of service.

 Port Operations

  • Anchorage demand at the Port of Vancouver continues to be in very high.
  • According to the latest figures, capacity is at 89 percent at the port (English Bay, Inner Harbour) and at 78 percent in the Southern Gulf Islands.
  • The port continues to prepare a 40 acre site in the Richmond area for the temporary handling and storage of empty containers, and is expected to issue a contract for a site operator within the next few weeks.

As far as upcoming weather is concerned, heavy rain is expected to continue through today, with lighter precipitation across southwestern B.C. forecast for tomorrow and Friday.

We will continue to closely monitor all of the above and provide members with updates on a regular basis.

Sincerely,

Karen Kancens
Vice President