Automated bridges unsafe, says ex-operator

“They don’t care if someone gets hurt.”
That’s Ron Sandelovich’s feelings on CN’s decision to automate the rail bridges at Bear’s Pass and Five Mile starting May 1.
“When nobody’s around, people will get hurt. I know kids are always playing around those bridges, but with no one there, something’s bound to happen,” he remarked.
Sandelovich and Don Cameron, who worked at Bear’s Pass and Five Mile bridges respectively, were told on April 3 that they would not be operating the lift-bridges this spring, as CN continues to automate more of its bridges.
Sandelovich remains upset that the new way of operating will be unsafe, and not as efficient, citing the Rainier Bridge at Pither’s Point which became automated last year.
“They say they’ll keep it up all the time, so as to not back up boats for hours. But look at Rainier–that bridge is almost always down,” he said.
With manual operation, boats could signal the operator simply by blowing its horn.
CN automated bridges are operated from a central controller in Edmonton.
Meanwhile, with their jobs now obsolete, it is not know what will happen to them. “CN is not telling us a thing. They’ve been working with the union [Brotherhood of Maintenance of Ways #30], and they have another meeting on May 18,” noted Sandelovich.
“But I’m getting to that age when I’m not too worried. I’m 57, so they might give me an early retirement package,” he said.
Neither Cameron nor CN could not be reached for comment by press time.