Highway #9 rail to get crossing arms

The Canadian Pacific Railway crossing on Highway #9 in Yorkton will be getting control arms added as a safety feature. 

The city will make an investment of$112,521 unanimously approved by Council Monday. 

The City’s portion of the capital cost could be funded from the rainy day reserve.

“It’s no secret that over the past several years, traffic safety at the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) crossing on Highway 9, south of the Hamilton Road Intersection (which is next to Staples) has been an issue. There have been several accidents,” René Richard - Director of Engineering and Asset Management, with the City told the regular meeting of Council Monday. 

“The most recent accident caused a significant fuel spill and impacted our operations in the Environmental Services Division while they investigated potential impacts to the aquifer.” 

The issue of accidents is what led to a decision to add safety arms, explained Richard. 

“Through inspections, this crossing has been identified by Transport Canada (TC) as a candidate for an upgrade due to the high traffic roadway and history of accidents, and as such qualifies and has been approved for funding through the Railway Safety Improvement Program (RSIP),” he told Council. 

The recommended mitigation for accidents at this crossing is to install an upgraded warning system (FLBG – Flashing Lights Bell and Gates).

“This would be an improvement to public safety through the addition of a physical barrier for traffic, as well as the addition of constant warning time functionality, which adapts warning time to the actual train speed,” said Richard. 

Transport Canada will fund 50 per cent of the cost ($225,000), and CP 25 per cent $112,521. 

“In addition to the capital costs there would be an ongoing yearly maintenance cost of $7,833 which would be shared equally by CP and the City. Currently the City pays approximately $28,000 per year for ongoing rail crossing maintenance,” added Richard. 

“The entirety of the construction for this project would be managed or performed by CP. In addition to financial contributions, the City may need to support the project with regards to traffic control and communications. We would work with CP to make sure the work schedule and any traffic interruptions are communicated clearly using our social media platforms and website.”