No. H094/04 For release October 29, 2004 MONTREAL - The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Abitibi-Témiscamingue today announced on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre that the Government of Canada will provide $51,615 to improve safety at two railway crossings in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. This funding is part of a federal contribution of more than $10 million announced today to improve railway crossing safety across Canada. "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 Mr. Dion. "This financial assistance will help the province of Quebec improve railway crossing safety." 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 are attached. - 30 - Contact: François-Nicolas Asselin Transport Canada Communications, Montreal (514) 633-2741 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 Quebec Arntfield Highway 117 Active advance warning sign $13,150 Quebec Arntfield Highway 117 Prepare-to-stop sign $38,465 Total $51,615
