Train delays on Saskatoon streets pose a huge threat to emergency response times, according to Mayor Don Atchison and fire chief Dan Paulsen.
The City of Saskatoon began tracking the length and frequency of trains at rail crossings in January. Some trains led to traffic delays of over 20 minutes on major city roads.
The delays risk slowing paramedics, firefighters and police officers who are en route to emergency calls, said Atchison.
"Longer trains at other crossings have the potential to delay our emergency reponse teams in many neighbourhoods of the city," he said.
Paulsen said the delays can be especially problematic in the Montgomery neighbourhood, which is surrounded by train tracks — the longest delay, at 54 minutes, was recorded on a small branch line in Montgomery.
“We do know it happens a number of times a month where our crews are stuck on one side,” he said. “For now we are fortunate we do have response from other avenues, but again it’s a delay in our ability to get there.”
The mayor and fire chief were in Ottawa Tuesday to discuss derailments and delays with the National Municipal Rail Safety Working Group.
The group was formed after the Lac Mégantic crash in July 2013. A freight train carrying crude oil derailed in the Quebec town of Lac Mégantic, killing 47 people and destroying several buildings in the small community.
Atchison called on national rail companies to adopt a policy restricting trains to certain lines — or the “safest route” — through the city.
“The safest route might mean that CN and CP co-share lines on the outskirts of the city,” he said.
“It’s not only convenience, it’s the safety factor again. There’s nothing worse than being a first responder stuck at a railway crossing wondering what’s going to happen.”
Atchison and Paulsen are expected to return to Saskatoon Wednesday.
