The Government Of Canada Is Investing In Improvements To A Railway Crossing In The Mégantic–l’Érable Riding As Part Of Railway Safety Week In Canada

April 22, 2008

MILAN, Québec — As part of Railway Safety Week in Canada, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Secretary of State for Agriculture and Member of Parliament for the Mégantic–L’Érable riding announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, that the Government of Canada is going to improve the safety of a railway crossing in the Mégantic–L’Érable riding.

According to Minister Paradis, the safety of all Canadians has always been a priority for our government, and that is why he was pleased about today’s announcement. He said that the government was committed to ensuring the appropriate level of safety for railways crossings, and that today, we are delivering on our promise.

Transport Canada is working closely with railway companies and Canadian communities to target railway crossings where safety improvements are needed. This announcement will provide $5,280 dollars to fund improvements to the railway crossing in Milan. Under the Department’s program to improve railway crossings, eligible crossings are improved, moved or replaced, based on an assessment that considers several factors such as road and railway traffic volumes and accident history. Improvements could include the installation of flashing lights and barriers, additional barriers and lights to those already present, interconnected railway crossing signals and nearby traffic lights, changes to control circuits, and the addition of new circuits or timing devices. Transport Canada is funding up to 80 percent of the total costs for improvements, and the rest will come from the railway companies, municipalities, provinces and territories.

Minister Cannon stated that improving the safety of railway crossings is a priority for our government. Accident and death rates at railway crossings have decreased steadily in recent years, and this funding will enable us to continue working with the railway companies and communities to increase safety for drivers and pedestrians at railway crossings across Canada.

Transport Canada supports other initiatives designed to increase safety at railway crossings, such as Operation Lifesaver. This public education program run by the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) has promoted railway crossing safety since 1981 by organizing awareness-raising campaigns in schools and communities, preparing and promoting videos, and sponsoring events.