Lake Megantic Quebec - As Lake Megantic commemorates the seventh anniversary of a deadly derailment that transformed the town, a coalition has denounced the state of the nearby railway and demanded the federal government immediately inspect it.
 
The Coalition of Citizens and Organizations Committed to Rail Safety of Lake Megantic (CCOCRS) sent a lawyer's letter to Transport Canada (TC) and federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau.
 
The situation is urgent, spokesperson Robert Bellefleur said in an interview.
 
A portion of the rails, between Nantes and Lake Megantic, is too worn down.
 
The 40 kilometre section, whose rails are almost 40-years-old, Bellefleur said, is in a curve with an incline at the edge of the town.
 
It was on this section of track that a runaway oil train sped into town in 2013 and derailed on a curve, killing 47 people.
 
Bellefleur said the coalition advised TC and the city of Lake Megantic, among others, at the beginning of June, but got no follow-up.
 
The coalition has asked to get a copy of the inspection report within 10 days.
 
If it shows safety problems, they want all the rails, ballast, and culverts repaired or replaced in Lake Megantic and the region.
 
If that's not done, all "appropriate remedies" will be sought, which could include an injunction request.
 
A bypass will be constructed by 2023 so trains can avoid the city centre, and the existing track will be dismantled.
 
But safety can't wait that long, Bellefleur said.
 
"The rails are finished."
 
Garneau's office said TC is aware of the situation and Canadian Pacific (CP), which now owns the railway, did an inspection and followed up to ensure proper maintenance that same week.
 
An ultrasonic exam of the rail was done at the end of June and the results are being analyzed.
 
The coalition said ultrasonic tests are not reliable and "can't identify with precision certain defects," including microfissures.
 
Author unknown.