New Track Laid and First Train Clears Tunnel

One big asset to the international community is the train tunnel running under the St. Clair River between Sarnia and Port Huron. The train derailment that took place almost two weeks ago has been a developing situation with many facets. Over the weekend, the final cars were cleared out of the tunnel, and yesterday evening the closed portion of 10th Street between Beard and Cedar Streets was reopened.  Now, CN crews have finished laying the new track in the international rail tunnel between Canada and the United States, and the first train has successfully cleared the tunnel.

New track had to be laid for the whole span of the tunnel, and the spilled sulfuric acid was either removed from the site or neutralized. Officials are reporting that the spill caused no harm to the environment or to public safety as it was completely contained to the site of the derailment. The tunnel suffered only minor cosmetic damage, and there was no effect on its structural integrity. CN is working in full collaboration with the Canadian Transportation Safety Board who is leading the investigation into the derailment.