OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian government has extended deadlines for grade crossing improvements, while removing the lowest-risk crossings from the improvement requirements.
Following up on a proposal made earlier this year [see “Digest: Canadian government proposes delay …,” Trains News Wire, June 21, 2021]. Transport Canada will provide a one-year extension beyond the original deadline of Nov. 28, 2021, for high-risk crossings, and a three-year extension for other crossings.
“The global pandemic has resulted in widespread financial hardship, including for local governments and private owners of grade crossings,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a press release. “The final amendments to the Grade Crossings Regulations … will focus efforts on reducing the risks of preventable accidents at grade crossings while being mindful of economic realities.”
There are about 14,000 public and 9,000 private grade crossings in Canada. The Canadian government says the amendments to the original grade-crossing plan will allow railroads, road agencies, and private-crossing owners to focus on the crossings that represent the greatest safety risk.
