15 February 2007
Pedestrian Railway Crossing Coming This Year
Canmore Alberta - Canmore's trail users can expect to see
a safer crossing for pedestrians across the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks behind Sobeys in the upcoming year, a need identified in
the initial stages of the Trail Master Plan.
Parks and open space planner Jamie Carpenter presented an update on the plan to Canmore Town Council's Committee of the Whole meeting
Tuesday morning (13 Feb 2007), and while a final document is not yet ready, several initiatives, like the railway
crossing, are set to be undertaken in 2007.
The need for a safe pedestrian crossing of the train tracks was brought up by Mayor Ron Casey before Carpenter's presentation started.
Senior manager of planning and engineering Gary Buxton said the Town is waiting for CP Rail to confirm a financial commitment for the
project sometime in late March or early April.
"As soon as we know, we can tender our part of the project," Buxton said.
He added that CP is expected to help cover 37.5 percent of the cost to make the physical crossing, while the Town would cover the
rest, along with the full cost of a trail approaching either side of the tracks, fencing and any landscaping required.
The Trail Master Plan (TMP) began in the summer of 2006 with two open houses, 175 participants, a website and consultation with trail
and recreation stakeholders.
Carpenter's progress report on the TMP touched upon how the number one issue raised by trail users is safety, with crossing the
railway tracks between Canmore's two supermarkets a prevalent concern.
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