CN Rail's plan to cut the staff who operate the Second Narrows rail lift bridge and replace them with a system of cameras and remote control by the end of this year is troubling.
The company claims it won't affect operations or safety, but the study they used to conclude that hasn't been made public.
The timing of the revelation couldn't be worse as Canadians are still processing the devastation in Lac-Megantic caused by a rail accident. Many people are now questioning the largely secretive nature of rail safety regulations.
CN's system will still have a number of failsafes designed to ensure a train never goes off the tracks and a tanker ship never plows into the bridge. But as anyone who's had to deal with the technology knows, cameras break, transmission feeds drop and computers crash. A human has always been on site at the rail bridge, so far.
This isn't just a concern for the tankers filled to the brim with crude oil. Hundreds of recreational boaters traverse the Second Narrows on their trips through the Burrard Inlet. No one appears to be asking them about the change either.
It's worth noting the irony of Port Metro Vancouver complaining about a unilateral decision being made and lack of consultation. The port has a history of controversial decisions in which detailed studies on safety, noise and pollution are rarely divulged to their residential neighbours.
But in this case, if those in charge at the port aren't yet satisfied this is a safe way to run a rail bridge, neither are we.
