Federal government funding projects through Rail Safety Improvement Program
The federal government has announced more funding through the Rail Safety Improvement Program to make rails safer in Quebec and Ontario.
Ottawa is investing $9.8 million for more than 70 projects across Québec.
“We work with our partners every day to make living environments near railways safer for Canadians. Safety is always our priority,” said Pablo Rodriguez, minister of transport and Quebec lieutenant. “This will also allow us to maintain the effectiveness of our railways in getting us the goods we need when we need them and at reasonable cost.”
From that funding, $472,679 will go to a Saint-Lazare project for fencing off a section of rail in the Legault Road area.
“These investments will make it safer for Saint-Lazare residents that live, work and play near our railways. We are constantly working to improve our citizens’ quality of life, and today’s announcement demonstrates that safety is always our absolute priority for our railway system.” said Peter Schiefke, member of parliament for Vaudreuil—Soulanges.
Just about a week before the announcement for Quebec projects, Ottawa also invested over $13.5 million to support 112 projects in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas and other regions in Ontario.
“We’re investing to improve the safety of Canadians, especially those who work and live along our railway lines. The projects we’re funding in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas and across Ontario will keep our communities safe and our railway systems efficient,” said Rodriguez.
From that funding, close to $280,000 has been allocated for a grade crossing improvement project in Markham. Pedestrian gates, fencing, and other protective measures have been added at the GO Train crossing on Main Street Unionville.
“We have railway crossings throughout Markham, and throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas,” Paul Chiang, parliamentary secretary to the minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship and member of parliament for Markham—Unionville.
“Knowing that the Government of Canada is making these crossings safer will help people in our many neighbourhoods feel safer as they travel to and from their homes, jobs, schools, or any other destination.”
The Rail Safety Improvement Program provides funds for projects that aim to improve rail safety at grade crossings and along rail lines. The program:
- provides investments in rail infrastructure;
- helps address climate change resiliency;
- supports innovative solutions through research studies and new technology pilot projects and
- helps educate Canadians on railway safety through outreach and awareness initiatives.
Since the inception of the Rail Safety Improvement Program in 2016, it has supported more than 1,000 projects across Canada, for a total investment of more than $230 million, according to the federal government.
