No. H063/03For release - June 25, 2003
VANCOUVER — The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources and Regional Minister for British Columbia, on behalf of Transport Minister David Collenette, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide $593,732 to improve safety at seven railway crossings in British Columbia. This funding is a part of a federal contribution of $10.2 million announced today to improve safety at 92 railway crossings in Canada. Since 1994, Transport Canada has contributed more than $7.7 million to crossing improvement projects in British Columbia.
"The improvements made to these crossings will help to reduce accidents even further," said Minister Dhaliwal. "Although the number of fatalities and injuries in Canada has seen a steady decline, the upgrades to crossings will make our communities even safer and help further reduce rail crossing incidents."
Under Transport Canada's grade crossing improvement program, eligible railway crossings are either upgraded, relocated or closed. Improvements may include installing flashing lights and gates, adding gates or extra lights to existing systems, linking crossing signals to nearby traffic lights, modifying operating circuits, or adding 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.
"I am pleased that the railways, municipalities and provinces are working with Transport Canada and contributing to these projects," said Mr. Collenette. "We all have a role to play in safety. Motorists and pedestrians must use caution at all times, even though crossings may be equipped with warning devices."
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 2003 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder and a list of the crossings scheduled for improvement in British Columbia are attached.
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Contact:
Rod NelsonCommunications, Vancouver(604) 666-1675
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BACKGROUNDER
RAILWAY CROSSING FACTS
Transport Canada has a permanent safety inspection program to monitor railway crossings and compliance with standards under the Railway Safety Act, and to identify areas for improvement.
The Transport Canada grade crossing improvement program contributes, on average, $7.5 million over the course of each year to improve safety at railway crossings 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 10 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 261 crossing accidents across Canada in 2002. These accidents resulted in a total of 46 fatalities and 42 injuries.
Passenger trains travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h and freight trains can reach 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.
June 2003
Province
Location
Road
Federal Contribution
British Columbia
Abbotsford
Maclure Road
$155,304
British Columbia
Ashcroft
Railway Avenue
$108,960
British Columbia
Kamloops
Singh Street
$73,920
British Columbia
Kamloops
Singh Street
$64,197
British Columbia
Salmon Arm
72nd Avenue N.E.
$166,320
British Columbia
Salmon Arm
73rd Avenue N.E.
$17,151
British Columbia
Salmon Arm
Narcisse Street
$7,880
Total
$593,732
