April 27, 2015 – Ottawa – Transport Canada
The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today launched Rail Safety Week and announced new funding for railway crossing improvements. This year, Transport Canada will provide more than $9.7 million for improvements at over 600 railway crossings across the country through its Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP).
Under the GCIP, eligible railway crossings are upgraded based on factors such as traffic volume and accident history. Improvements may include installing flashing lights and bells, installing gate barriers, linking crossing signals to traffic signals, upgrading light bulbs to brighter LED lights, or adding new circuits or timing devices. Transport Canada finances up to 50 per cent of the total eligible costs of grade crossing improvements (to a maximum of $550,000 per project), with the balance provided by the railways and/or road authorities.
Transport Canada also provides funding through its Grade Crossing Closure Program (GCCP) to encourage the closure of certain grade crossings that are under federal jurisdiction. The program provides a $20,000 grant for a public grade crossing and a $5,000 grant for a private grade crossing in exchange for the beneficiary (generally a road authority or private property owner) relinquishing their rights to the crossing and closing it. In 2014-2015, Transport Canada approved $165,000 in GCCP funding to close nine crossings in the interest of public safety.
Also in support of safety at railway crossings, Minister Raitt announced in December 2014, new Grade Crossings Regulations to help prevent accidents and improve railway safety. In particular, the Regulations improve safety by:
- Providing consistent grade crossing safety standards across Canada;
- Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of railway companies and road authorities; and
- Promoting collaboration between these parties.
Transport Canada takes the safety of the Canadian railway system seriously and is committed to ensuring that appropriate levels of safety are maintained. As such, on April 23, 2015, the Minister issued an Emergency Directive requiring companies to slow their trains to a maximum of 64 kilometres per hour (40 miles per hour) when travelling in highly urbanized areas, and increase inspections and risk assessments along key routes used for the transportation of dangerous goods, including crude oil and ethanol.
Zach Segal
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt
Minister of Transport, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
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