No. H016/02For release - March 5, 2002
OTTAWA — Transport Minister David Collenette today announced that the Government of Canada is committing an additional $146,320 to improve safety at three railway crossings in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. Since 1994, Transport Canada has contributed $10.8 million to 115 projects in Quebec under the Grade Crossing Improvement Program.
"Although accident rates and crossing fatalities across Canada have been significantly reduced over the past ten years, there is still work to be done," said Mr. Collenette. "This financial assistance will help improve railway crossing safety in the province."
On June 28, 2001, funding of $165,840 was announced for a project on Ch. Grand-Bernier, north of Rue Marcil. On February 19, 2001, funding of $139,400 was announced for another project on Ch. Grand-Bernier, north of Rue Lanoue, and $141,900 was announced for a project on Industrial Blvd., north of Aubry.
Subsequent to the announcement of the original funding, follow-up assessments of the crossings were conducted and revealed that the original project designs did not account for a bicycle path that crossed the railway tracks adjacent to the roadway. In order to maximize safety at these crossings, Transport Canada, the municipality of St. Jean-sur-Richelieu and the railway companies (CN and CP) agreed that cantilever structures should be added in addition to the short arm gates specified in the original projects. As a result, additional amounts of $53,600, $51,360 and $41,360 respectively have been allocated for this purpose.
"The government and the railways are working to improve safety. Cyclists, motorists and pedestrians can also take action to reduce risks at railway crossings," said Mr. Collenette. "Even crossings equipped with automated warning devices - such as bells and gates - demand caution."
For this reason, Transport Canada supports two other initiatives to improve safety at railway crossings: Operation Lifesaver, a public education program of the Railway Association of Canada that has promoted safety at railway crossings since 1981, and Direction 2006, a partnership of governments, railway companies and their unions working towards a goal of reducing collisions and trespassing incidents by 50 percent by the year 2006.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder and a list of crossings affected by the additional funding are attached.
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Contact:
Anthony PolciDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
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BACKGROUNDER
RAILWAY CROSSINGS FACTS
Transport Canada has a permanent safety inspection program to monitor railway crossings, to ensure standards are met under the Railway Safety Act, and to identify areas for improvement.
Transport Canada's Grade Crossing Improvement Program contributes approximately $7.5 million each year to improve rail crossing safety in Canada. Funding decisions are based on pre-established regional accident and serious-injury criteria over a five-year period, and funding is allocated to various regions at different times of the year.
Although rail-related accident rates and crossing fatalities have been significantly reduced over the past ten years, improving safety at rail crossings continues to be one of Transport Canada's top priorities, as accidents at crossings account for half of the railway-related deaths and injuries each year.
There were 278 crossing accidents across Canada in 2001. These accidents resulted in a total of 41 fatalities and 47 injuries.
Passenger trains travel up to 160 km/h and freight trains 105 km/h.
It can take a train more than one minute to come to a complete stop. In perfect weather, an 88-car freight train weighing 13,000 tonnes and travelling 96 km/h would cover about two kilometres before stopping.
In addition to funding up to 80 percent of improvements to eligible crossings, Transport Canada works with the Railway Association of Canada on "Operation Lifesaver," a public education program.
Transport Canada also participates in Direction 2006, a partnership among all levels of government, railway companies and unions. The objective of Direction 2006 is to reduce grade crossing collisions and trespassing incidents by 50 percent by the year 2006.
March 2002
Location
Road
Original Federal Contribution
Additional
Total Federal Contribution
St. Jean-sur-Richelieu
Grand-Bernier (north of Rue Marcil)
$165,840
$53,600
$219,440
St. Jean-sur-Richelieu
Ch. Grand-Bernier (north of Rue Lanoue)
$139,400
$51,360
$190,760
St. Jean-sur-Richelieu
Industrial Blvd. (north of Aubry)
$141,900
$41,360
$183,260
