THAMES CENTRE — In celebration of Rail Safety Week, Joe Preston Member of Parliament for Elgin – Middlesex - London today announced on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, that Canada’s New Government will provide more than $650, 000 for lights and bells in safety improvement projects at railway crossings in Thames Centre and London.

‘I am pleased to announce this funding today, to improve the safety for everyone in the riding crossing these railway tracks everyday, and for the safety of the many visitors to our riding each and every year,’ Joe Preston MP said.

"On behalf of the Thames Centre Council, I want to express our appreciation for this funding. The issue of safety at rural railway crossings has been a Municipal concern for many years. This funding will allow the Municipality to partner with the railway companies and the Federal Government to upgrade four railway crossings in Thames Centre. This financial support will allow us to be able proceed in improving visibility and reducing the risk to everyone who uses these rail crossings," Thames Centre Mayor Jim Maudsley said.

Under Transport Canada’s Grade Crossing Improvement Program, eligible railway crossings are either upgraded, relocated or closed. Improvements may include installing flashing lights and gates, adding gates or extra lights to existing systems, linking crossing signals to nearby traffic lights, modifying operating circuits, or adding new circuits or timing devices. The department finances up to 80 per cent of the total cost of the improvements, with the balance provided by the railways, municipalities or provinces and territories.

“Although accident rates and crossing fatalities have reached their lowest levels in 10 years, improving safety at crossings is a priority for Canada’s New Government,” said Minister Cannon. “This funding will allow us to continue to work with rail companies and communities to improve the safety of rail crossings for motorists and pedestrians throughout Canada.”

Transport Canada supports other initiatives to improve safety at railway crossings, such as Operation Lifesaver, a public education program of the Railway Association of Canada that has promoted safety at railway crossings since 1981.