Saskatoon drivers endure long delays after rail crossing mishap

A reported equipment malfunction at one of Saskatoon’s busiest intersections caused a headache for many drivers Wednesday morning.

The stop arms and warning lights activated after 7 a.m. at the 25th Street and Idylwyd Drive rail crossing despite no train moving through.

650 CKOM’s Jay Thomas reported traffic was snarled for an hour.

RAILWAY CROSSING MALFUNCTION: at the busiest intersection in the city… 25th and Idylwyld Dr. Arms down, lights flashing but no train and major gridlock in the area, especially on Idylwyld itself. Avoid this part of the city. #yxe #sasktrafficissues pic.twitter.com/tcEtXje47b

— CKOM Traffic (@ckomtraffic) March 4, 2020

RJ Nichols was delayed for about 25 minutes.

“It just kept on going, and going and going,” he said.  “My fuel light came on this morning as I stopped at the lights. I sat there with my heart beating funny.”

Nichols said over the years he’s become used to waiting for trains at that intersection. He doesn’t blame the rail company for equipment malfunctions, but he would like to see them re-schedule trains around peak traffic times.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, CP Rail said “At approximately 7:15 a.m. local time on March 4, the crossing at Idylwyld Drive in Saskatoon activated with no train present. CP immediately dispatched engineering personnel to identify the issue and make repairs. CP regrets the inconvenience to the public.”

The statement did not explain why the arms were down at the crossing for a lengthy period of time when there was no train crossing.