Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré made a significant funding announcement in Capreol on Wednesday that will help improve rail safety in the community.
The government of Canada is providing more than $700,000 to upgrade the rail crossing at Young Street near the city's downtown, including the installation of centralized traffic control and automated gates. Federal funding was matched by CN Rail for the completion of the $1.4-million project.
Capreol residents have been pushing for improvements to the rail crossing since Serré was elected in 2015, voicing their concerns about not only pedestrian and motorist safety, but also the detriment that trains can have on local businesses.
"There's a lot of incidents that happen at rail crossings and there is a list of rail crossings identified across Canada and a fund has been set up to help communities like Capreol," said Serré. "Last year there were 285 applications made to Transport Canada regarding rail safety, and there were 105 proposals that were approved and one of those was right here in Capreol."
Construction of the centralized traffic control and automated gates has already been completed, though there are still some safety concerns for some members of the community when it comes to the crossing.
"We have to have some level of enforcement from the CN Rail police," said Randy Crisp, chair of the Capreol Community Action Network. "Just this morning I saw a couple of trucks drive around the arms to get through the crossing."
While there have been no major incidents at the crossing, safety concerns were mounting for Capreol residents with respect to long waits for large trains.
"Our biggest concern is slow trains, when CN started making bigger trains, vehicles were sitting stopped at the crossing for long periods of time," said Crisp. "When you think about something like a fire truck or ambulance having to get through, you don't want them being stuck waiting for a slow train to go by."
With the addition of the automated gates, trains are now able to pass through the crossing at a higher rate of speed, reducing the wait time for vehicles. Of the reported incidents involving trains in Canada, 50 per cent of them occur at rail crossings.
"Thankfully there have been no major accidents at this crossing," said Serré. "But when you start looking at issues with paramedics, and ambulances that's one major component and the second is the business community. There was concern with people not wanting to come to Capreol; when you have 25- or 30-minute delays it makes a big difference."
This year, Transport Canada is funding two public education and awareness activities, more than 100 infrastructure projects, including 98 grade-crossing improvements like the one in Capreol and five technology and research projects.
"Railway lines and crossings play a crucial role in our communities, especially in Capreol where the railway is so deeply tied to the history and foundation of the community," said Serré. "Today's announcement will enhance the safety for pedestrians and motorists in Capreol and it marks another important milestone for Capreol's 100th birthday."
The day was closed out with a community BBQ where Serré mingled with members of the Capreol community in the Foodland parking lot. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Bread and Roses Capreol Food Bank.
Rail Safety Week takes place from Sept. 23-29 this year and is a national event aimed at increasing awareness of safety around railway operations and highlighting government and industry commitment to making the rail system safer for all Canadians.