No. H154/05
For release - June 29, 2005
REGINA — Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan, on behalf of Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced that the Government of Canada will provide $277,185 to improve safety at two railway crossings in Saskatchewan. This funding is part of a federal contribution of over $11 million announced today to improve safety at 80 railway crossings in Canada. Since 1994, Transport Canada has committed more than $13 million to crossing improvement projects in Saskatchewan.
The crossings scheduled for improvements are located in Gull Lake and Edenwold No. 158, Saskatchewan. Under the program Municipal Road in Gull Lake will receive $260,000 for the installation of flashing lights, bells, gates and a constant warning time device. Grid Road in Edenwold No. 158 will receive $17,185 in order to raise the level of the grade.
"I am pleased that the Government of Canada is contributing to these important crossing improvements," said Mr. Goodale. "Warning devices and grade changes will help further reduce fatalities and injuries at these Saskatchewan crossings."
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 and territories.
"Preventing tragedy on railroad tracks is a shared responsibility," said Mr. Lapierre. "The Government of Canada provides funding for warning devices, such as lights, gates and bells, but depends on all Canadians to respect these warnings and approach rail crossings with added 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 to reduce collisions and trespassing incidents by 50 per cent from the 1995 level by the year 2006.
Funding for the grade crossing improvement program was provided for in the February 2005 main estimates and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.
A backgrounder on railway crossing facts is attached.
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Contacts:
Susan McLennanTransport CanadaCommunications, Winnipeg(204) 983-6315
Irène MarcheterreDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister, Ottawa(613) 991-0700
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BACKGROUNDERRAILWAY 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, accidents at crossings still account for almost half of the railway-related deaths and injuries each year. For this reason, improving safety at rail crossings remains one of Transport Canada's top priorities.
There were 237 crossing accidents across Canada in 2004. These accidents resulted in a total of 25 fatalities and 50 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.
June 2005
