A Canadian Pacific freight train passes through a level crossing on Beare Road.

23 June 2011

Beare Road Train Whistle May Fade into History

Scarborough Ontario - The end of disruptive train whistling may finally be in earshot for people living near a Canadian Pacific Rail crossing at Baere Road in northeast Scarborough.
 
Scarborough Community Council this week heard from residents who have listened to the whistles for decades, including a Finch Avenue man who said the blasts sometimes last as long as 20 seconds.
 
"Three a.m., midnight, five in the morning, it's just horrendous," said Richard Dare.
 
"I would love it to be stopped, please."
 
The city hired a consultant in 2008 to study four rail crossings at a cost of $20,000. At Baere Road, the consultant recommended $2,000 worth of changes to signs and road markings to improve safety.
 
Wednesday's vote on the whistling will have to be confirmed by Toronto Council and sent to the federal government.
 
After that, Transport Canada will still have the final say.
 
Raymond Cho, the local councillor said he will ask the area's new MP, Rathika Sitsabaiesan, for help and suggested the "arrogance" or "laziness" of federal employees may be to blame for slow progress on the issue.

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