No. H086/02For release - July 29, 2002
OTTAWA — Rey Pagtakhan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development) and Senior Minister for Manitoba, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide $1,271,480 in assistance to improve safety at 12 railway crossings in Manitoba. Since 1994, Transport Canada has contributed $5.8 million to 52 projects in Manitoba.
"We have seen a marked improvement in accident rates and crossing fatalities across Canada over the last 10 years. However, there is still work to be done," said Minister Pagtakhan. "This financial assistance will help the Province of Manitoba improve its railway crossing safety."
Under Transport Canada's grade crossing improvement program, eligible railway crossings are either upgraded, relocated or closed. Improvements may include the installation of flashing lights and gates, the addition of gates or extra lights to existing systems, the interconnection of crossing signals to nearby traffic lights, the modification of operating circuits, or the addition of new circuits or timing devices. The department finances up to 80 per cent of the total cost of the improvements, with the balance provided by the railways, municipalities or provinces.
"Safety is a shared responsibility. Motorists and pedestrians must also take action to reduce risks at railway crossings," added Mr. Collenette. "Even crossings equipped with automated warning devices - such as bells and gates - demand caution and prudent driving."
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 to reduce collisions and trespassing incidents by 50 per cent by the year 2006.
Funding for the grade crossing improvement program was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder and a list of the crossings scheduled for improvement are attached.
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Contact:Glyniss HutchingsCommunications, Winnipeg(204) 983-7495British Columbia
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BACKGROUNDER
RAILWAY CROSSING 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.
The Transport Canada grade crossing improvement program contributes approximately $7.5 million over the course of each year to improve rail crossing safety across 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 decreased over the last ten years, improving safety at rail crossings is one of Transport Canada's top priorities, as accidents at crossings account for almost 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. For example, 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 per cent 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 with a goal of reducing grade crossing collisions and trespassing incidents by 50 per cent by the year 2006.July 2002
July 2002
PROVINCE
LOCATION
ROAD
FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION
Manitoba
Bloom Siding
Provincial Trunk Highway 16, 11km west of Portage La Prairie
$77,200
Manitoba
Bloom Siding
Municipal Road, 12 km west of Portage La Prairie
$208,000
Manitoba
Brandon
Victoria Avenue
$100,000
Manitoba
Hargrave
Kinaird Road, 4 km east of Hargrave
$182,400
Manitoba
Dugald
Spruce Road, .5 km east of Dugald
$250,720
Manitoba
Winnipeg
McGillivray Blvd.
$8,800
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Callsbeck Avenue
$176,000
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Elizabeth Road
$150,400
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Murray Road
$96,000
Manitoba
Winnipeg
Bairdmore Blvd. North
$5,960
Manitoba
Whitemouth
Main Street
$8,000
Manitoba
Whitemouth
Whitemouth Highway 44
$8,000
Total:
$1,271,480
