Oertel told the commissioners their findings regarding the port’s rail project indicated a “very low potential for derailment” and that the port’s efforts went “above and beyond what we see in industry.” According to a press release from the Port of Vancouver, the study was commissioned for two reasons. First, to have the safety of the track evaluated by an independent third party and secondly to get recommendations for any additional steps the port could take to make that section of the track safer.
The report included recommendations for five additional safety enhancements to the current plan, all of which the port intends to implement. Those recommendations are:
- Maintain track to a minimum Class 2 standard to reduce levels of allowable track deviation and the associated risks of local track perturbations over time.
- Install a high guard rail frog on #15 turnout and double guard rail on the connection track between #15 turnout and the BNSF overhead bridge and through the “Trench”, to further lessen the potential for damage.
- Construct the track structure with new concrete or wooden ties, premium fasteners, and continuously welded 141 pound rail to maintain a robust and less dynamically varying track structure.
- Perform rail neutral temperature measurements during track construction to properly set track neutral temperature.
- Periodically measure track geometry to ensure safety against derailment as the track changes over time.
