Vulcan Alberta - A section of Centre Street sidewalk by the railway crossing is being moved closer to the road to comply with federal standards.
 
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) reached out to administration in January about recent changes to Transport Canada's Grade Crossing Regulations.
 
"CP is going to come in at their cost and move the surface crossings to within 3.6 metres of the light standard, and then we're just going to realign the sidewalks," explained Kim Fath, the Town's chief administrative officer.
 
CP is currently reviewing the proposal and was in favour as of the writing of an administration report prepared for the 27 Mar 2023 council meeting.
 
At the meeting council approved the proposal to move 18.3 metres of sidewalk on each side of the Centre Street crossing, at an estimated cost of $12,000.
 
The cost will be included in the Town's 2023 operation budget.
 
The Town has until 28 Nov 2024 to bring the grade crossing into compliance.
 
Coun. Cole Dunham pointed out the cost is "pretty awesome" considering what estimates were for the alternative, to have additional warning systems installed.
 
Estimates put the cost of installing such a system at between $542,469 and $632,810.
 
Administration agreed.
 
"As you can see, even with the possibility for grant funding the cost is still astronomical for additional lighting," reads administration's report.
 
"The realignment of the sidewalk is clearly the most cost effective option."
 
Stephen Tipper.