Transport Canada to Invest More Than C$13.5MM Through Rail Safety Improvement Program
Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
“We’re investing in the Port of Thunder Bay to redevelop the marshalling yard and increase cargo handling capabilities, to boost Canada’s competitiveness,” said Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez.
Transport Canada on March 7 announced an investment of more than C$13.5 million to support 112 projects in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas and other regions in Ontario, through the Rail Safety Improvement Program.
Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Markham—Unionville, Paul Chiang, attended the announcement today at the historic former Unionville train station in Markham.
The Rail Safety Improvement Program, which was created in 2016, “provides funds for projects that aim to improve rail safety at grade crossings and along rail lines.” It also provides “investments in rail infrastructure, helps address climate change resiliency, supports innovative solutions through research studies and new technology pilot projects, and helps educate Canadians on railway safety through outreach and awareness initiatives,” according to Transport Canada.
Close to C$280,000 has been allocated for a grade crossing improvement project in Markham, near the former train station where the announcement took place. Pedestrian gates, fencing, and other protective measures have been added at the GO Train crossing on Main Street Unionville. This, the agency says, is one of a dozen projects in Markham that have been approved through this round of Rail Safety Improvement Program funding.
In addition to supporting infrastructure upgrades, technology pilot projects, and research initiatives aimed at enhancing railway safety, investments through the Rail Safety Improvement Program also contribute to economic growth by “ensuring the continued efficient movement of goods to market and creating good-paying jobs,” according to Transport Canada.
To date, the Rail Safety Improvement Program has supported more than 1,000 projects across Canada, for a total investment of more than C$230 million.
“We’re investing to improve the safety of Canadians, especially those who work and live along our railway lines,” said Rodriguez. “The projects we’re funding in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas and across Ontario will keep our communities safe and our railway systems efficient.”
“We have railway crossings throughout Markham, and throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas. Knowing that the Government of Canada is making these crossings safer will help people in our many neighborhoods feel safer as they travel to and from their homes, jobs, schools, or any other destination,” said Chiang.
