15 January 2007
Millet Blows the Whistle on Train Safety
Millet Alberta - Millet continues to blow the whistle on
the CPR train issue.
Some residents there want the CPR train whistle to cease. Understanding that battle may be impossible to win, now citizens have turned
their attention to saftey.
Based on research done by Couns. Pat Garrett and Nancy Willis, there would be time costs as well as financial costs to try to make the
Canadian Pacific Railway safer.
Transport Canada estimated a six-foot chain link fence on both sides of the CPR right-of-way from 45 Avenue
to 53 Avenue would be $60,000. Electronics and gates (which do not exist at the 53 Avenue crossing) would cost $290,000. "The
figures speak for themselves," began a decisive Garrett. "(Keep in mind) these are the costs today (not in the future). We
can't afford it. We're a small town."
Another option was to move or remove the 53 Avenue crossing entirely.
"Kids would have to be bussed (because school policy dictates kids can only walk a certain amount to school). The crosswalk was
put in because of the school-aged children," Coun. Glenn Norby explained.
Coun. Willis continued in a similar vein. "It's not fair to take something away before consulting the public about it. I have
people telling me (neither to get) rid of the whistle (nor the crossing)."
Mayor Dave Gursky had other questions. "Is closing the crosswalk an option? I don't know."
After hearing the political views, three citizens in the gallery had their say. First was resident Bob Smith. "The train tracks
are going to be crossed. There is a grant initiative to eliminate trespass accidents. It's important to get views from the
professionals. Do we need a fence?"
The citizens were told by council a necessary study by a professional engineer could cost the town upwards of $8,000. But this did not
deter fellow residents Dave and Caroline Hagan. "$8,000 is a small price to pay. It is easy to sit in a room and opt for taxes
not to go up. There are some assumptions here which may not be accurate," Dave said.
To the citizens' credit, the group was able to persuade council to table the issue until 14 Mar 2007. Initially, council
resolved not to act and that no further actions be undertaken in regards to the elimination of train whistles.
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