Tottenham Ontario - If you are approaching the train crossing on Mill Street in Tottenham you always have to pay attention and come to a full stop if the warning signals and clanging bells start functioning.
 
The signals are designed to start functioning around 30 seconds before the train arrives at the crossing.
 
For the most part, local residents are diligent when it comes to paying attention and stopping their vehicles.
 
It is rare to see someone try to beat the train across the tracks when the lights are flashing.
 
With an increase in population on the east side of Tottenham due to the addition of two large subdivisions, there has been a marked increase in traffic passing over the Mill Street crossing.
 
At the 10 May 2021 Council meeting, the Town approved a recommendation to award the design and construction services of Canadian Pacific Railway to install a new warning system and gates at the Mill Street crossing.
 
The total cost of the installation will be around $450,000 with half of the cost provided by a federal grant program.
 
The town will be paying for a portion of the installation with another portion paid for by CP.
 
The Town's engineering department said plans to install the new crossing are based on CP's timeline, and "once approved, normally it would be done within their fiscal year which will end by 1 Apr 2022."
 
This means the new crossing system should be in place sometime within the next year.
 
Although there are line-ups at the crossing when a train is passing, there have been no accidents at this crossing.
 
Author unknown.