Rail crossing not a trouble spot: mayor

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This article was published 09/09/2020 (1982 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’s relatively little rural governments can do to prevent tragedies such as Tuesday’s vehicle-train crash in western Manitoba that claimed three lives, beyond continuing to promote safe, attentive driving.

A van with four men inside was heading north on Road 126 West, one kilometre east of Strathclair, at about 11:30 a.m. when it collided with the train. Three of the occupants died at the scene, while the driver remains in hospital with serious injuries.

The CP Rail line runs parallel to Highway 16 (the Yellowhead) and is only about 30 metres from the highway. There is a standard crossing sign alerting drivers about the tracks, and sights lines are unobstructed in both directions.

RM of Yellowhead Mayor Merv Starzyk said Wednesday the rail crossing is similar to a dozen others in the region. Upgrading them to include gates and signal lights would be cost-prohibitive for CP Rail as well as the municipality, which would be on the hook for a portion of the cost.

There are about seven crossings between Strathclair and Newdale, just 15 kilometres to the east down the highway.

“The cost would be unbelievable. To give you an example, the railway has informed us they want to expand a crossing in the RM about five miles east of Strathclair near a grain elevator. There are lights there now but they want to put arms up. The cost is $400,000 and they basically told us our share is $116,000,” Starzyk said.

Data from the Transportation Safety Board show Manitoba has averaged 17 crossing collisions annually over the past decade, repeatedly pointing to the dangers of grade-level crossings. In 2014, Transport Canada started to compel municipalities and companies to install bells, lights or gates at crossings deemed by the regulator to be of high use and high risk.

But Road 26 West is a narrow gravel road primarily used by local farmers.

Starzyk, who is in his first term as mayor, said the crossing has not been a trouble spot.

“It’s a municipal road, so there’s a sign. To the best of my knowledge, there’s never been an issue before,” said Starzyk, who has been on council for 31 years. “I’ve never heard of an accident there. Within 100 feet (of the crossing), there’s a stop sign for the highway.

“Most people know the track is there, so they look. It’s basically used 99 per cent by local people,” he added. “This is the really sad part, but what more can you do to prevent this?”

While Starzyk didn’t know the victims personally, the tragedy has had a profound effect on the area, he said.

“Talking with a lot of people and everyone’s definitely shocked. On behalf of our residents and the council, I extend sympathy to the families as they cope with this. With something like this in a small community, you don’t have to know the people to know it affects a lot of families,” said Starzyk.

Premier Brian Pallister, who championed safety measures at rail crossings when he served years ago as a member of Parliament, said Wednesday is saddened by the tragic collision.

“Our heart goes out to everyone… in the community there and the families,” he said.

As an MP, he advocated for better markings at crossings and the use of reflectors on rail cars.

“You don’t see black freight cars going down the rail lines without side reflectors (anymore). That was a real danger and something that we were proud to have changed. And the numbers have come down in most categories of rail-vehicle collision. But more needs to be done, I think,” Pallister said.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell