No. H199/05For release October 26, 2005
OTTAWA - Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced that the Government of Canada is committing an additional $317,086 to improve safety at railway crossings in Canada. Since 1994, Transport Canada has committed more than $111 million to such projects throughout the country.
"The Government of Canada is committed to reducing the number of injuries and fatalities that occur at railway crossings," said Mr. Lapierre. "Through the Grade Crossing Improvement Program, we can identify crossings that require safety enhancements and make sure they are equipped with the proper safety devices."
In June 2005, the government announced funding of more than $11 million to improve safety at 80 railway crossings across Canada. The additional funding announced today is for projects in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Canadian Pacific will receive $125,000 to install flashing lights, bells, gates and a constant warning time device in Revelstoke, British Columbia; the Mackenzie Northern Railway will receive $17,250 to install reflectorized material at various crossings in Alberta; Hudson Bay Railway will receive $150 to install reflectorized material at a crossing in Manitoba; and the City of Kenora will receive $174,686 to improve the grade of roadway approaches on Transmitter Road in Kenora, Ontario.
Transport Canada's Grade Crossing Improvement Program ensures that 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," added Mr. Lapierre. "The Government of Canada provides funding for warning devices but depends on all Canadians to respect these warnings and approach rail crossings with caution."
Transport Canada supports two other initiatives to improve safety at railway crossings. Operation Lifesaver is a public education program of the Railway Association of Canada that has promoted safety at railway crossings since 1981. Direction 2006 is 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:
Irène Marcheterre
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of
Transport, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
Cathy Cossaboom
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
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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 Grade Crossing Improvement Program contributes approximately $7.5 million 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.
October 2005
