Skip to content

Trees, debris stall trains along South Surrey waterfront

No track damage from rainstorm: BNSF

BNSF crews were busy along the Semiahmoo Peninsula’s waterfront rail line Tuesday (Nov. 16), clearing debris left over from Monday’s rainstorm.

READ MORE: Mudslides put brakes on train travel through South Surrey

South Surrey and White Rock residents reported a pair of slides along the tracks.

Ted Kopp said one he spotted on Monday, at the foot of the 14000-block of Marine Drive, covered an estimated 30-metre stretch of track and blocked train movement for at least three hours.

Erik Seiz said the remnants of another, at the foot of the 16 Avenue stairs, were still being cleared on Tuesday afternoon.

Seiz said it was unclear to what extent the slide impacted the track, “but, it definitely shows that the hillside still has issues.”

“It is good to see BNSF keeping an eye on things.”

Area residents have for years expressed concerns with the slope stability along the waterfront.

BNSF general director of public affairs Lena Kent told Peace Arch News that heavy rains resulted in “trees and other debris on the tracks that forced some of our trains to stop in the area.”

“We did not incur any track damage but did need to clear the debris off of the right of way,” Kent said by email.



tholmes@peacearchnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter www.peacearchnews.com/newsletters


Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
Read more