Canada invests in safety with new funding for crossing improvements in Strathcona County

November 03, 2009

(Strathcona County) — Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville--Wainright, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide up to $256,440 in new funding to improve safety at the crossing on Township Road 524 in Strathcona County, Alberta.

“There is always a potential for accidents in our communities where roads and railways meet,” said Benoit. “These improvements will make these intersections safer throughout the riding of Vegreville--Wainwright.”

This investment of $4 million is the first instalment of the government’s Economic Action Plan, which provides $28 million over the next five years to further enhance safety at grade crossings in Canada. Under the 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.

“Our government is increasing its commitment to safety at road and rail crossings across the country,” said Minister of State (Transport) Rob Merrifield. “This additional funding will go a long way toward enhancing safety and helping to save lives at critical grade crossings.”

The Government of Canada also supports other initiatives to improve safety at railway crossings, such as Operation Lifesaver, a national public education program whose goal is to reduce the needless loss of life, injuries and damages caused by highway/railway crossing collisions and train/pedestrian incidents.

This funding for Strathcona County is in addition to:

• $181,440 announced earlier this year to erect gates and constant warning time devices at the Range Road 232 crossing;
• $2,086,000 joint federal and provincial funding to build a new biogas electricity plant which  will enhance local facilities and services and create local jobs;
• $120,000,000 investment in new carbon capture technology; and
•  $4,628,339 in Gas Tax Funding for infrastructure projects.

Backgrounders on railway crossing facts and tips, and crossings scheduled for improvements are attached.



BACKGROUNDER:   RAILWAY CROSSING FACTS AND TIPS

• There are approximately 55,000 public, private and pedestrian highway-railway crossings in Canada.
• There are still too many fatalities and injuries as a result of 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 travelling at 120 km/h requires about 1.6 kilometres to stop. That’s 14 football fields! 
• Look for the crossbuck symbol that indicates a highway-railway crossing. Some more heavily 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 cleared. Opening the window helps you 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. Proceed through a highway-railway crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember that 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.
• When at a multiple-track crossing waiting for a train to pass, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching from either direction.
• Railway tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal, and trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death.
• In 2008, 47 people were killed and 20 others 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 could cost you a limb or your life.