1 minute read
Train whistles could be hushed in Sapperton by 2025
TheresaMcManus tmcmanus@newwestrecord ca
There’s a chance train whistles could be eliminated in Sapperton by the end of 2025 – if the stars align
Advertisement
City council recently received an update on the efforts to get train whistles to cease at rail crossings in the city. A staff report noted NewWestminster has 27 at-grade public rail crossings, including 11 on the mainland and 16 in Queensborough.
The report explained thatTransport Canada has developed an eightstep process for communities wishing to put an end to “non-emergent train whistling” at public cross- ings This includes: consulting with rail companies; completing a safety assessment; implementing safety upgrades; passing a municipal resolution to cease whistling; executing a whistle cessation agreement; acquiring liability insurance coverage; and having the rail companies issue anti-whistling directives to train operators
Whistle cessation has currently been implemented at four crossings in NewWest Begbie Street (at Front Street), Front Street (at Fourth Street), Brookes Street (a pedestrian crossing in Queensborough) and Quayside Drive (at Laguna Court)
An April report to council included an update about short-, mid- and long-term opportunities for ending non-emergency train whistles at crossings in NewWestminster. wFurness Street at Duncan Street in Queensborough.Whistle cessation is possible by the end of 2023. Completion of construction deficiencies, a final safety assessment, insurance acquisition and stakeholder agreements must be completed wWest End crossings: Preliminary discussions suggest whistle cessation at the 20th Street and the Fourth Avenue crossings may be able to be completed by the end of 2024 Several steps are still required It’s also being recommended that these crossings be reassigned from public to private; whistling isn’t required at private crossings unless “emergent conditions” ex- ist. wSapperton: Staff say it may be possible to complete construction work on the Spruce Street cross- ing and the Cumberland Street crossing by the end of 2024, with the implementation of whistle cessation in 2025.
weeKLY oNLINe PoLL
