No. H087/04 For release October 29, 2004 WINNIPEG - Reg Alcock, Regional Minister for Manitoba, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide $2,573,373 to improve safety at 14 railway crossings in Manitoba. This funding is part of a federal contribution of over $10 million announced today to improve safety at 92 railway crossings in Canada. Since 1994, Transport Canada has contributed more than $10 million to crossing improvement projects in Manitoba. "Over the past 10 years, there have been safety improvements at railway crossings to protect Canadians. However, there is still work to be done," said Minister Alcock. "This financial assistance will further enhance railway crossing safety in the province of Manitoba." 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. "We all have an important role to play in railway crossing safety, whether as a motorist or as a pedestrian," said Mr. Lapierre. "Even crossings equipped with automated warning devices - such as bells and gates - demand caution and prudent driving." 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 Manitoba are attached. - 30 - Contact: Susan McLennan Transport Canada Communications, Winnipeg (204) 983-6315 Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at apps.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada. This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities. 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 approximately $7.5 million over the course of each year to improve safety at rail 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 248 crossing collisions across Canada in 2003. These accidents resulted in a total of 26 fatalities and 51 serious 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. October 2004 PROVINCE LOCATION ROAD IMPROVEMENT FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION Manitoba Anola Monominto Road Flashing lights, bells, gates and grade crossing predictor $166,880 Manitoba Anola Stoneridge Road Flashing lights, bells, gates and grade crossing predictor $231,680 Manitoba Carberry Highway 5 Gates and constant warning time device $211,200 Manitoba Dauphin Highway 5 and Highway 10 (Main Street) Interconnection and backup battery $77,838 Manitoba Dauphin Highway 5 and Highway 10 (Main Street) Gates and constant warning time device $198,240 Manitoba La Broquerie Rue Principale Diversion Road $203,120 Manitoba Lorette Provincial Road 206 Gates and motion sensing device $136,480 Manitoba Lorette Station Road Flashing lights, bells, gates and grade crossing predictors $231,680 Manitoba MacGregor Pathead Road Flashing lights, bells, gates and grade crossing predictors $221,440 Manitoba Pipun (Wabowden) Highway 373 Two flashing light signals, bell and AC/DC-type track circuits $131,140 Manitoba Ste-Rita Ducharme Road Flashing lights, bells, gates and grade crossing predictors $144,800 Manitoba Winnipeg Highway 100 Active advance warning signals $88,395 Manitoba Winnipeg Highway 100 Four gates, constant warning time device and advance pre-emption $244,000 Manitoba Winnipeg McGillivary Boulevard Four gates, cantilever, bells, back lights and constant warning time device $286,480 Total $2,573,373
