Regina mayor calls Ring Road train delay 'unacceptable'

Regina’s mayor says it’s “unacceptable” that a train caused a delay for more than an hour on Ring Road Tuesday.

“I’m just as angry and frustrated as any other driver who was stuck at the highway waiting,” Michael Fougere said Wednesday morning.

CN Rail says mechanical issues led to the train being stopped on the road just south of Winnipeg Street, backing up traffic past Pasqua Street in the north end.

“CN needs to do better,” Fougere continued.

The mayor says while CN Rail has a right to move their product on their line through the city, they also have an obligation to keep the track clear.

Fougere reiterated that the city has no jurisdiction when it comes to train tracks, adding that he has had no meaningful result from conversations with rail companies.

Another one of those conversations happened following Tuesday’s standstill.

“The fact of the matter is they could have easily separated that train, let people go through, and work on that engine on either side of that highway.”

Fougere says he will be bringing up the issue once again when he meets with executive council Wednesday, and speaking with CN Rail again as well.