Wheatland County explores increasing rail crossing safety measures

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council is exploring the possibility of increasing traffic safety at the Range Road 255 rail crossing in Carseland.

The discussion opened with a recommendation by administration to approve the installation of an active crossing warning system with gates at the crossing, budgeting $883,180 for the project. 

Cody Zimmerman, manager of operations, noted to council the investigation into the crossing was initiated by local residents who were concerned about safety. 

“(There is) about an average of 17 train movements per day and then about 100 to 150 vehicles per day crossing,” he said. “This crossing … is recommended for active controls – the minimum would be active controls without gates. The crossing angle of this location is quite acute; it is actually less than 30 degrees. That angle is actually less than what would be permitted under today’s standards for rail crossings and road crossings.”

Under the Grade Crossing Standards, which govern safety considerations for new crossings, a similar crossing would have to be set up with active crossing controls.

New crossing geometry standards do not require the immediate reconstruction of the existing crossing, rather, they provide safety guidance and recommended minimum protections.

An active warning system with gates was estimated to cost $735,984 to set up. The additional funds recommended to budget were for a 20 per cent contingency.

Without gates, the project was estimated to require $668,504 to see completed. The difference was described as “marginal” during the course of the June 16 council meeting. 

Operational expenses for the recommended system, with or without gates, is estimated at $9,685, or $8,772, respectively, per year. 

“There is some potential for senior government grant funding. The Transport Canada’s rail safety improvement program does release grant funding programs from time to time. Our understanding is right now there is not one active, but we think there is one coming this year,” said Zimmerman. “My understanding is that it is a heavily applied for grant program and so when it does get released, we will want to be watching for that.”

Council would have to approve the project as recommended and be willing to front the expense prior to submitting a grant application, should that be the avenue chosen to proceed. 

Reeve Scott Klassen inquired whether simply putting up a stop sign at the crossing would be sufficient in order to increase traffic safety controls. 

This was added to by Coun. Keith Clayton, who suggested the addition of a flashing light atop a stop sign in order to increase visibility, particularly at night.

Council voted unanimously to direct administration to investigate the possibility of installing a stop sign with a flashing light at the crossing and to return with a report to a future meeting. This motion was passed unanimously.