Nova Scotia floods cut off sole rail link connecting Halifax to rest of Canada
The devastating floods in Nova Scotia have taken out the Canadian National Railway train line that connects the port of Halifax to the rest of the country, disrupting services in the region with no word on when they will resume.
A Transport Canada spokesperson confirmed to Global News Monday that the sole rail line, which connects the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, has been affected by heavy flooding. The spokesperson added that short-term goods movement can take place through road.
“Transport Canada is aware that a section of the rail line connecting Nova Scotia to New Brunswick has been heavily damaged, and we are working collaboratively with the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) to ensure the issue is addressed as soon as possible. While the impacted track is the sole rail link between the Port of Halifax to the rest of the country, short term cargo movements from the port can continue via road transport,” the spokesperson said.
That comes as the fallout continues after a storm system swept through the region over the weekend, destroying homes and infrastructure and leaving four people missing. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault also addressed the damage during a press conference on Monday.
“Clearly, action is urgently needed. Nova Scotia declared a state of emergency this weekend after extreme rainfall caused that caused catastrophic, catastrophic flooding. And our hearts go out to families who are missing, loved ones,” he said.
“This cannot become the new normal.”
CN issued a statement saying it had “pre-emptively closed a section of its track near Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Friday evening in response to Flash Flood Weather Warnings.”
“CN crews have already restored much of the damaged
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