No. H 119/08
For release - May 2, 2008
AJAX - In recognition of Rail Safety Week, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Greater Toronto Area, today announced that the Government of Canada is providing $3,151,600 for 23 projects to improve safety at 21 railway crossings throughout Ontario. This includes $145,040 to install flashing lights, bells and gates at a railway crossing in Ajax, Ontario. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
"Moving people and goods by rail is essential for a strong and growing economy, but we will not compromise safety in our communities," said Minister Flaherty. "The investments we are making today will help alert our friends and neighbours to oncoming trains so we can avoid future tragedies."
Transport Canada works closely with railway companies and communities across the country to identify grade crossings that require safety improvements. Under the department's Grade Crossing Improvement Program, eligible railway crossings are upgraded, relocated or closed, based on an assessment of factors such as traffic volume and accident history. 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. Transport Canada finances up to 80 per cent of the total cost of the improvements, with the balance provided by the railways, municipalities or provinces.
"Improving safety at crossings is a priority for our government," said Minister Cannon. "Accident rates and crossing fatalities have declined in recent years, and this funding will allow us to continue to work with rail companies and communities to increase the safety of rail crossings for motorists and pedestrians throughout Canada."
The Government of Canada is also making the largest single federal investment in public infrastructure since World War II through the Building Canada plan, a total of $33 billion over seven years for roads, bridges, water systems, public transit and international gateways.
In Budget 2008, the government announced the permanent extension of federal gas tax funding, which will reach $2 billion per year nationally by 2009-2010. Municipalities large and small, from coast to coast, will be able to rely on this funding to plan and finance their public infrastructure needs for years to come.
In addition, the government is providing $500 million to make further investments in public transit capital infrastructure. This funding will be dedicated to several specific projects, including a joint federal-provincial study to re-establish the rail link between the City of Peterborough and Toronto's Union Station.
"The eastern part of the Greater Toronto Area is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country and the Peterborough to Toronto rail link will help establish a more efficient regional transportation system," added Minister Flaherty.
A backgrounder on railway crossing facts and a list of the crossings scheduled for improvements are attached.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news 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.
