WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 3 (UPI) -- The threat of Red River flooding forced Canadian Pacific Railway to close a line Friday that straddles the North Dakota border.

Company spokesman Mike Lovecchio told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. the line was closed so a wall of sandbags could extend across the tracks. He said all freight in the vicinity had been hauled out and other shipments would be diverted to a line further north for at least three weeks.

CPR took similar measures during Red River flooding in 1997, the report said.

Additionally, he said the rail company had loaded freight cars with rocks to protect bridges over the river.

"Those rail cars will be loaded down with rock ballast and that will serve to hold the bridge in place as the water level rises," he told the broadcaster.

The river is expected to crest 40 miles south of Winnipeg between Sunday and next Friday, the report said.

The crest of the north-flowing river passed through Grand Forks, N.D., Wednesday at more than 49 feet, the CBC said.

Canadian Pacific Prepares for the Red River Flood

EMERSON, MB, April 5 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific has temporarily closed its rail line connecting Emerson and Winnipeg due to flooding on the Red River in southern Manitoba. Company officials will be available for comment on flood preparations in Emerson on Monday morning while flood management measures are put in place.

Time: 10:30 AM Central Time
Date: Monday, April 6, 2009
Location: Provincial Road 200 rail crossing, north of the CP Train Yard in Emerson.

Note: The location is near the dike, and the Red River is over flowing its banks into a nearby field.

Directions:

	From Winnipeg, take Highway 75 south to Emerson.
	Turn left on Main Street and proceed into Emerson.
	Turn right on Morris Street.
	Turn left on Provincial Road 200 and follow it north past the rail yard.
	Provincial Road 200 turns east just before it crosses the railroad crossing.

CP has worked with emergency management officials, our customers, and communities in preparation for the flood. Service on the rail line will be restored as soon as the flood threat passes, the track is inspected and it is safe to return the line to service.