The safety of three local railway crossings will be improved thanks to funding announced last week by Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP, Mark Strahl. The Government of Canada is investing $4,400 on a railway crossing on First St. in Ashcroft, $6,350 on a crossing on Railway Ave. in Ashcroft and $5,700 on a crossing on Hwy 12 in Lytton.
“Canada has an exemplary railway safety record but there are still far too many people killed and seriously injured due to rail accidents. The improvements our government is announcing across the country will improve safety and save lives,” said Strahl.
The Conservative Government is investing $ 9.3 million in grade crossing improvement projects to enhance safety for pedestrians and motorists at 523 locations across the country. Through the Government of Canada’s Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP), eligible railway crossings are upgraded or relocated 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, or adding new circuits or timing devices.
“A safe and secure national rail transportation system is important to local communities and to Canada’s economic well-being,” said Minister of Transport Denis Lebel. “This 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. For more information about Operation Lifesaver and rail safety, visit www.operationlifesaver.ca.