(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on May 1.)
Earlier this week, Transport Canada announced plans to provide more than $7.1 million to help fund upgrades to 82 grade crossings nationwide.
Under the agency’s Grade Crossing Improvement Program, eligible crossings are upgraded, relocated or closed based on an assessment of traffic volumes and accident histories. Projects include installing flashing lights and gates, adding gates or extra lights, linking crossing signals to nearby traffic lights, modifying or adding operating circuits, and installing new circuits or timing devices. Transport Canada finances up to 80 percent of project costs, with railroads, municipalities, provinces or territories funding the remainder.
“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 improve the safety of rail crossings for motorists and pedestrians throughout Canada,” said Canadian Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Lawrence Cannon in a prepared statement.