May 21, 2009
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS IN GRADE
CROSSING
IMPROVEMENTS IN BIENFAIT
Estevan— Ed Komarnicki, Member of Parliament for Souris-Moose Mountain is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada will work to improve safety at a railway crossing near Bienfait, SK through the Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP). This project is one out of 120 crossing improvement projects across Canada that Transport Canada is funding under the GCIP for 2009-2010.
“Upgrades at level rail crossings are important in ensuring the safety of both road and rail users,” said Komarnicki. “Improvements to this crossing will make this intersection safer for the people of Bienfait and area.”
Rail safety in Canada will additionally benefit
from the Government of Canada’s 2009 Economic Action Plan,
which is accelerating and expanding recent historic federal
investment in infrastructure with almost $12 billion in new
infrastructure stimulus funding over two years. This includes
$28 million over five years to enhance the GCIP, which will
help save lives by improving safety at public grade crossings
across Canada.
Transport Canada works closely with railway companies and communities
across the country to identify grade crossings that require
safety improvements. This announcement will provide $27,148.00
in funding for upgrades to the crossing near Bienfait (Section
30, Township 2, Range 6). The project will include constructing
a road diversion to divert traffic from another crossing nearby.
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, linking crossing signals to nearby traffic lights, 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.
Transport Canada also supports other initiatives to improve safety at railway crossings, such as Operation Lifesaver — a national public education program sponsored by the Railway Association of Canada and Transport Canada. Its goal is to reduce the needless loss of life, injuries and damages caused by highway/railway crossing collisions and train/pedestrian incidents.
A backgrounder on railway crossing facts and
tips is 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.
