Hazardous Rail Crossing in Mundare Poses Danger to Motorists

Hazardous Rail Crossing in Mundare Poses Danger to Motorists

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The CN Rail Crossing along Secondary Highway 855 in the Town of Mundare has generated a considerable amount of attention as well as the ire of many motorists and local residents for the past couple of months.

“It hasn’t gone unnoticed stated Mayor Cheryl Calinoiu. Deep heaves in the asphalt at the crossing have created a significant hazard for motorists and has become a serious safety concern in the town.

The town office has been fielding a steady stream of phone calls and received plenty of visits from irate residents for quite some time now.

Rail Crossing on Secondary Highway 855 just north of the Highway 15 intersection in the Town of Mundare.

Chief Administrative Officer Colin Zyla said many residents are under the impression the rail crossing and the secondary highway are under the town’s jurisdiction, and “that is not the case.”

Calinoiu is hoping the more complaints CN Rail and Alberta Transportation receive the sooner the repairs will get done.

Because of the condition of the rail crossing, Calinoiu said more motorists are choosing to travel across the rail crossing just south of Main Street, and that is getting damaged as a result.

Calinoiu said she has contacted Alberta Transportation and discussed the issue with Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs, during a visit to the community last week. “He took pictures and said he would pass them onto Alberta Transportation.”

Rail Crossing on Secondary Highway 855 just north of the Highway 15 intersection in the Town of Mundare.

Calinoiu said she’s also spoken with CN and officials explained to her that they’re currently behind schedule on projects, but they would, “get to it as soon as they can.” She said the rail crossing is “extremely hazardous” for motorists, especially those who are not familiar with the area and may not notice how bad the rail crossing really is until they are going over it.

There was even an unconfirmed report of a vehicle getting hung up on the tracks, creating a dangerous situation and potential for collision should it happen when a train nearing the rail crossing. There was also concern expressed that the condition of the crossing could potentially cause a train to derail.

Calinoiu said she really hopes the situation is rectified as soon as possible, and well before students head back to class on Sept. 1.

On July 31, Calinoiu received an email from Tyler Banick with CN Rail. His message stated that crews would be “fixing up the crossing at Secondary Highway 855 in the Town of Mundare on Thursday August 4.”