15 October 2008
Anti-Whistling Plans for Regina Slowly Chugging Along
Regina Saskatchewan - The City of Regina is still trying
to stop trains from whistling while they work.
On 17 Mar 2008, a motion was passed by city council to update the current status of anti-whistling
initiatives for railway crossings in the city. On Tuesday, the Works and Utilities Committee met to discuss more changes.
Anti-whistling plans are currently in place at only five of the 20 at-grade crossings (intersections of
roads and railways) in the City of Regina.
The city has submitted applications to the railway companies for eight of the 15 remaining at-grade crossings. It is
still waiting approval on four crossings; approval has been withheld on the other four until further improvements are made. For most
of the remaining crossings, substantial upgrading is required.
According to Mike LoVecchio, senior manager of media relations for Canadian Pacific Railway, there are a number of safety measures
needed for anti-whistling initiatives to occur.
"From a railway perspective, we think train whistles are an additional measure of safety and eliminating them is increasing the
risk to people, travellers, and drivers," LoVecchio said.
He said that for a whistle to be eliminated at a crossing, there must be proper warning systems such as bells, crossing gates, lights,
and fencing on either side to prevent trespassing.
LoVecchio explains it is a long process. A professional engineering company and Transport Canada must conduct a safety assessment and
an insurance agreement must be met between CP and the municipality. Anti-whistling plans will only come into effect if
safety standards are met.
According to the Works and Utilities Committee, it would cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring at-grade
crossings up to safety code. Albert Street, for instance, needs a warning device upgrade which would cost $400,000.
The long wait is unfortunate for Regina residents living near these crossings. Sharron Bryce, city councillor and chair of the Works
and Utilities Committee, said she gets phone calls on a weekly basis from people who can't sleep at night because of the whistles.
"They're up a couple times a night because of these trains whistling, and I'd like to change that so they're able to have a good
night sleep like the rest of us," Bryce said after the meeting.
She's also not impressed that the railways are doing little to help the issue.
"It's taking eons," she said. "It's a federal government thing and it's not a big issue to the people in charge of the
railroads. Some of these (anti-whistling applications) were applied for in (2003). I feel it shouldn't take that
long."
|
