A popular shortcut to access Greens Lake in Capreol got some attention from the CN Police on the weekend.
The shortcut, which is used by snowmobilers, hikers and those looking to go ice fishing on the lake, happens to cross railroad property. A weekend blitz resulted in several trespassing charges, CN said.
“Trespassing, which includes walking or driving your Off-Road vehicle on, across or along the tracks is very dangerous and illegal and is not worth the risk for a short cut,” the railroad police said in a news release.
The CN tracks run parallel to Capreol Road / Old Highway 69. CN is warning the public that crossings are private and owned by the railroad, and cannot be used as a short cut.
“Eight no trespassing signs reading ‘Danger Warning Trespassing on Railway Property is Illegal Offenders will be prosecuted’ are posted at the gated and locked private crossing near the solar panel farm,” the release stated.
Ignoring the signs and the locked gate can earn you a fine of $125 under the Railway Safety Act.
“The only safe and legal place a pedestrian or snowmobiler is allowed to cross railway tracks is at a designated railway crossing, which will be marked with a red and white cross-buck,” CN Police said.
The railroad said in 2017 alone, more than 222 accidents occurred on or near railroad tracks in Canada, resulting in 72 fatalities and 44 serious injuries.
