No. H081/06For release July 25, 2006
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada will provide more than $11.4
million for 115 safety improvements at railway crossings across Canada. This
announcement was made by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities.
"Whether in the city or in rural areas, where rail tracks and roads meet, there
is a potential for accidents. The projects that receive funding today will make
these intersections safer," said Minister Cannon. "Improving safety at these
crossings will help to enhance the quality of life of Canadians. It also
continues our partnerships with rail companies and communities to make rail
crossings safer for motorists and pedestrians throughout Canada."
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. Up to 80 per cent of the
total cost of the improvements is financed by Transport Canada, with the balance
provided by the railways, municipalities or provinces and territories. Transport
Canada's grade crossing improvement program has committed more than $100 million
to such projects throughout the country over the last decade.
"All the lights, gates and bells we have put in place and continue to install
will have no effect if motorists and pedestrians do not respect these signals,"
added Minister Cannon. "In order to prevent tragedies, I ask all of you to use
caution when approaching these road and rail intersections, and to obey the
signs."
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 1995 levels by the year 2006.
A backgrounder on railway crossing facts and a list of the
crossings scheduled
for improvements are attached.
-- 30 --
Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Cathy Cossaboom
Communications, Ottawa
Transport Canada
613-993-0055
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 AND TIPS
There are approximately 55,000 public, private and pedestrian
highway/railway crossings in Canada.
In 2005, 38 people were killed and 54 seriously injured in 270 highway/railway
crossing collisions.
Approximately 50 per cent of vehicle/train collisions occur at crossings with
active warning devices (gates, lights, bells).
Trains cannot stop quickly. An average freight train travelling at 100 km/h
requires about 1.1 kilometres to stop. A passenger train traveling at 120 km/h
requires about 1.6 kilometres to stop. That's 14 football fields!
Look for the crossbuck symbol of a highway/railway crossing. Some more-travelled
highway/railway crossings have lights and bells or gates.
Listen for warning bells and whistles. Turn off, or turn down, distracting
fans, heaters and radios until the crossing is safely crossed. Opening the
window helps you to hear better.
Never drive around lowered gates - it's illegal and deadly. If you suspect a
signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing
signal or your local law enforcement agency.
Never race a train to the crossing - even in a tie, you lose.
Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway/railway
crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping.
Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
If your vehicle stalls on the tracks at a crossing, immediately get everyone
out and far away from the tracks. Move in the direction that the train is
approaching from to avoid being hit by debris, because the momentum of the train
will sweep your vehicle forward.
At a multiple track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a
second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction.
Railway tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or
playing on them is illegal - trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too
often the penalty is death.
In 2005, at least 64 people were killed and 18 were seriously injured
while trespassing on railway property.
Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railway
tracks or rights-of-way or through tunnels.
Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or railway crossings. Observe
and obey all warning signs and signals.
Do not attempt to hop aboard railway equipment at any time. A slip of the
foot can cost you a limb, or your life.
July 2006
PROVINCE
LOCATION
ROAD
IMPROVEMENT
FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION
British Columbia
Terrace
Kenny St
Constant warning time device & pre-emption
$280,000
British Columbia
Terrace
Kenny St
Constant warning time device & pre-emption
$6,400
British Columbia
Mission
Rte 11 at Harris Rd
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
Smithers
Lake Kathlyn Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Smithers
Lake Kathlyn Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Evelyn
Owen Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Canal Flats
Rte 93/95 at Canal Flats
Active advance warning sign
$2,000
British Columbia
Chetwynd
John Hart Hwy
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Wasa
Rte 95A at Wasa crossing
Active advance warning sign
$2,000
British Columbia
Langley
Rte 10 at Crush Cr
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
Langley
Rte 10 west of Glover St
Active advance warning sign
$2,000
British Columbia
Yale
Albert St
Gates and motion sensing device
$133,120
British Columbia
Armstrong
Hwy #97A
Active advance warning sign and LED lights
$104,000
British Columbia
Hope
6th Ave
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Hope
3rd Ave
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Decker Lake
Rowland Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Vavenby
Vavenby Bridge Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Vavenby
KP Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Chilliwack
Yale Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Chilliwack
Annis Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Vanderhoof
Rte 16 at Burrard Ave
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
Chilliwack
Prest Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Chilliwack
Broadway St
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Chilliwack
Lickman Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Radium Hot Springs
Horsethief Creek Rd
Lights
$28,960
British Columbia
Houston
Tweedie Ave
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
Houston
Tweedie Ave
Pre-emption
$2,720
British Columbia
Houston
Rte 16 at Nadina Ave
Fibre optic
$6,400
British Columbia
Matsqui
Mission Hwy at Matsqui
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Chase
Pine St
Gates and constant warning time device
$224,800
British Columbia
Cranbrook
Rte 3 at King St
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
Telkwa
Telkwa Coal Mine Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Kamloops
Rte 1 at River Rd
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
Kamloops
Rte 1 at Tanager
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
Kamloops
Rte 1 at Vicars Rd
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
Pouce Coupe
Rte 2 east of Pouce Coupe
Active advance warning sign
$2,000
British Columbia
Nelson
Rte 3 at Poplar St
Traffic signals
$6,400
British Columbia
East of 100 Mile
Rte 24 at Lone Butte Rd
Active advance warning sign
$2,000
British Columbia
East of 100 Mile
Rte 24 at Lone Butte Rd
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Bear Lake
John Hart Hwy
LED lights
$3,032
British Columbia
Ft St-John
West Bypass Rd
Active advance warning sign
$2,000
British Columbia
Ft Nelson
Clarke Lake Rd
Active advance warning sign
$6,400
Alberta
Blackfalds
Broadway Ave
Gates and constant warning time device
$239,600
Alberta
Foothills
250 Ave
Automated warning system & motion sensing device
$140,240
Alberta
Sylvan Lake
RR 11
Automated warning system and motion sensing device
$139,120
Alberta
Millet
53rd Ave
Gates and constant warning time device
$232,320
Alberta
Gleichen
Hwy 901
Active advance warning sign
$14,646
Alberta
Gleichen
Hwy 901
Lights
$21,920
Alberta
Wainwright
Hwy 41
Active advance warning sign
$36,800
Alberta
Wainwright
Hwy 41
Gates and constant warning time device
$178,400
Alberta
Strathcona
Twsp Rd 534
Gates, constant warning time device and automated warning system
$184,800
Saskatchewan
Swift Current
Lac Pelletier Dr
Constant warning time device
$157,040
Saskatchewan
Swift Current
RR 144
Gates, constant warning time device and automated warning system
$246,080
Saskatchewan
Boharm
Twsp Rd 170
Gates
$60,080
Saskatchewan
Swift Current
Secondary Rd 630
Gates, constant warning time device and automated warning system
$202,560
Saskatchewan
Webb
RR 182
Gates and constant warning time device
$209,440
Saskatchewan
Tako
Municipal Rd
Gates, constant warning time device and automated warning system
$277,440
Saskatchewan
Quinton
Hwy 15
Gates and constant warning time device
$278,880
Saskatchewan
Quinton
Hwy 15
Prepare-to-stop sign
$28,805
Saskatchewan
Waldeck
RR 132
Constant warning time device and automated warning system
$214,400
Saskatchewan
Watrous
Municipal Rd
Gates, constant warning time device and automated warning system
$293,360
Saskatchewan
Perdue
N-S Grid Rd
Gates, constant warning time device and automated warning system
$226,880
Manitoba Winnipeg
Kirkbridge Dr
Back lights
$10,720
Manitoba Morris
Municipal Rd
Road work for closure
$4,174
Manitoba Winnipeg
Dawson Rd
Lights
$4,800
Ontario Port Colborne
Forkes Rd
Automated warning system
$154,400
Ontario Thunder Bay
Mountdale Ave
Constant warning time device and automated warning system
$148,560
Ontario Brampton
Torbram Rd
Cantilever and lights
$107,968
Ontario
Fort Erie
Ridgemount Rd
Gates and constant warning time device
$241,280
Ontario Smith Falls
Lorne St
Gates and constant warning time device
$167,760
Ontario London
Scotland Dr
Gates, active advance warning sign and interconnection
$103,920
Ontario Drummond / North Elmsley
Moore's Rd
Gates and constant warning time device
$222,200
Ontario Komoka /London
Middlesex Cty Rd 16
Gates, constant warning time device, automated warning system and
interconnection
$202,160
Ontario Komoka /London
Middlesex Cty Rd 16
Active advance warning sign
$43,620
Ontario Ottawa
Kettles Rd
Road work for closure
$244,080
Ontario Ottawa
Kettles Rd
Automated warning system
$135,998
Ontario Dockmure
Blue Lake Rd
Gates
$130,600
Ontario Milton
5th Side Rd
Gates and constant warning time device
$284,080
Ontario Rockwood
Harris St
Gates
$180,800
Ontario Castleford
County Rd 1, River Rd
Lights and mast
$15,928
Ontario Cobden
County Rd 8, Main St
Gates and constant warning time device
$154,418
Ontario Shakespeare
County Rd 107
Gates, constant warning time device and automated warning system
$180,800
Ontario Waldhof
W. Waldhof Rd
Lights
$16,800
Ontario Washago
County Rd 44
Gates and constant warning time device
$104,356
Ontario Chelmsford
Errington Ave
Gates, constant warning time device, automated warning system and
lights
$219,920
Ontario
Devlin
Hwy 613
Gates, constant warning time device and automated
warning system
$162,960
Ontario London
Third St
Gates, constant warning time device and motion sensing device
$181,600
Ontario Brockville
Bartholomew St
Gates, constant warning time device and cantilever
$285,920
Ontario Brockville
Bartholomew St
Pedestrian mazes/fencing
$5,824
Ontario Brockville
Perth St
Gates, constant warning time device and cantilever
$130,960
Ontario Brockville
Perth St
Pedestrian mazes/fencing
$4,368
Ontario Brockville
Ormond St
Gates, constant warning time device and cantilever
$129,600
Ontario Brockville
Ormond St
Pedestrian mazes/fencing
$5,520
Ontario Brockville
Park St
Gates, constant warning time device and cantilever
$129,600
Ontario Brockville
Park St
Pedestrian mazes/fencing
$4,112
Ontario Pinewood
Hwy 619
Gates and constant warning time device
$246,538
Ontario Ardbeg
Hwy 520
Gates and constant warning time device
$232,140
Ontario Ardbeg
Hwy 520
Road re-alignment
$154,322
Ontario Sudbury
Maley Dr
Gates and constant warning time device
$231,920
Quebec
Montreal
De Courcelles
Pedestrian gates and mast
$45,920
Quebec
Montreal
Blvd Gouin
Pedestrian gates and cantilever light unit
$99,680
Quebec
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Vanier Blvd
Gates
$266,880
Quebec
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Grand-Pré
Gates, cantilever light unit and constant warning time device
$229,520
Quebec
St-Marc-du-Lac-Long
Route 289
Gates and cantilever light unit
$201,840
Quebec
Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
Rue Fabre
Gates and constant warning time device
$202,240
Quebec
Rivière-Bleue
Route 289
Gates, cantilever light unit and constant warning time device
$217,280
Quebec
Ville D'Amqui
Soleil D'Or
Flashing lights, bells and gates
$117,540
Quebec
Sherbrooke
Rue Colbert
Flashing lights and bells
$76,556
Quebec
McWatters
Route 117
Prepare-to-stop sign
$42,767
Quebec
McWatters
Route 117
Pre-emption and prepare-to-stop sign
$66,720
Quebec
Le Bic
Rue Chamberland
Gates
$158,801
Quebec
Le Bic
Rue Voyer
Gates
$143,464
Quebec
L'Isle Verte
Rue Notre-Dame
Gates
$128,154
Nova Scotia
Bible Hill
Park St
Pre-emption circuits
$18,200
Nova Scotia
Fall River
Fall River Rd
Gates
$138,800
TOTAL
$11,438,875
July 2006
