TransLink begins winter prep

TransLink late last week unveiled its steps for protecting its rail infrastructure from winter weather in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Along SkyTrain's Canada Line, the agency has installed 1.2 miles of heat tracing on power rail where heavy ice buildup has caused service disruptions in the past. Crews also installed cover boards in exposed areas to protect the power rail from snow buildup, TransLink officials said in a press release.

During snowfall, TransLink also plans to run de-icer spray trains to keep the power rail free of ice. For heavy overnight snow, some de-icing trains will run through the night to keep tracks clear, agency officials said.

"Heavy snows can have a huge impact on our region," said TransLink Chief Executive Officer Kevin Desmond. "Our focus is to limit delays and disruptions, and safely get our customers where they need to go."