Normal operations are expected to resume on the Welland Canal next week following a train derailment in St. Catharines, Ont., on Monday, according to the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System.

“Vessel traffic continues to move through the system, with only minimal delays, as Seaway teams continue to actively manage the situation,” said Nicole Giroux, a spokesperson for the corporation. 

Giroux said the movements of vessels are being managed through the east side of the flight locks while the west side remains temporarily out of service following the March 30 derailment. 

“At this time, we expect Seaway operations to return to normal early next week,” Giroux said.

Cause of derailment still unknown: TSB

According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), around 7:30 a.m. on Monday, a CN freight train was travelling west on the main train line when 14 rail cars, including four tank cars carrying “dangerous goods” derailed. 

But there were no injuries and no reported leaks of dangerous goods, according to TSB spokesperson Liam MacDonald.

The derailment could be seen Monday from the Welland Canals Trail. A white grainy substance had spilled out from at least one overturned car. A CN Railway spokesperson said then polyethylene, a “non-dangerous good” used in the manufacturing of household plastics had spilled but there was no danger to the public.

In an email to CBC Hamilton on Thursday, MacDonald said two TSB investigators were deployed to the site all day on Monday to work on the field phase of the investigation process.

“At this stage, we are gathering information and assessing the circumstances to determine whether a full investigation will be launched,” MacDonald wrote in the email, adding that “it is too early to determine what was the cause of the derailment.”

“Once the preliminary information has been collected, the occurrence will then be classified according to its relative importance, complexity, and potential for yielding safety lessons, in accordance with our Occurrence Classification Policy (Appendix B).”

Cleanup activities ongoing: CN

In its latest statement, CN Rail said its crews worked safely in the days since the derailment to partially resume operations.

“Crews will remain on site as cleanup activities are ongoing as well as some repair work on the south track,” said Michelle Hannan, a spokesperson for CN Railway.

“CN would like to apologize for any inconveniences as a result of this incident as well as to thank local first responders who attended.”

GO train service remains suspended

Metrolinx said Thursday Lakeshore West trains are unable to service St. Catharines and Niagara Falls GO until further notice due to the freight derailment.

“As a result, GO train service continues to be suspended between Niagara Falls and Confederation with Route 12 GO buses running between Niagara Falls and Burlington GO stations,” the transportation agency said. 

“Although we are adding more available Route 12 GO buses, it is strongly encouraged that non-essential travel is reconsidered, as bus service is limited and cannot replace the capacity of trains.”