IMPROVED SAFETY AT RAILWAY CROSSINGS IN THE CITY OF KINGSTON

KINGSTON, Ontario - The Honourable Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, today welcomed the announcement from the Honourable David Collenette, Minister of Transport that the Government of Canada will provide $549,874 to improve safety at two railway crossings in the City of Kingston. This funding is part of a federal contribution of $10.2 million announced today to improve safety at railway crossings in Canada. Since 1994, Transport Canada has contributed more than $90.3 million to crossing improvement projects across Canada.

"These improvements will be made at strategic crossings in the City of Kingston and will lower the risks to travelers, motorists and pedestrians", said Mr. Milliken. "I am pleased that these upgrades will enhance considerably the safety of railway crossings in our community."

Under Transport Canada's grade crossing improvement program, eligible railway crossings are either upgraded, relocated or closed. Improvements may include installing flashing lights and gates, adding gates or extra lights to existing systems, linking crossing signals to nearby traffic lights, modifying operating circuits, or adding new circuits or timing devices. The department finances up to 80 per cent of the total cost of the improvements, with the balance provided by the railways, municipalities or provinces.

"I am pleased that the railways, municipalities and provinces are working with Transport Canada and contributing to these projects," said Mr. Collenette. "We all have a role to play in safety. Motorists and pedestrians must use caution at all times, even though crossings may be equipped with warning devices."

For this reason, Transport Canada supports two other initiatives to improve safety at railway crossings: Operation Lifesaver, a public education program of the Railway Association of Canada that has promoted safety at railway crossings since 1981; and Direction 2006, a partnership of governments, railway companies and their unions working to reduce collisions and trespassing incidents by 50 per cent by the year 2006.

Funding for the grade crossing improvement program was provided for in the February 2003 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

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Contact: Amy Butcher
Press Secretary,
Office of the Minister of Transport, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700

Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca