Thames Centre, Ontario — Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London announced today that the Government of Canada is providing up to $27,400 in new funding to improve safety at railway crossings in Thames Centre.  Six (6) separate locations have been identified in the municipality for replacement of incandescent lights with LED lights.
“Our Government is increasing its commitment to rail safety,” said MP Preston. “While Canada has one of the safest rail systems in the world, improvements can still be made. This additional funding will go a long way toward enhancing safety and helping to save lives.”

“I am extremely pleased that the Federal Government has invested in the cost of upgrading lighting at railway signal crossings in several areas in Thames Centre”, commented Mayor Jim Maudsley. “Council and staff identified the railways as being critical to the long term future of the residents of the community and we are most pleased that the Federal Government has supported this investment with their funding”, he added.

This year, the Government of Canada is providing almost $14 million in new funding for the Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP). The GCIP supports projects to upgrade railway crossings and improve safety where road and track meet.
Transport Canada works closely with railway companies and communities to identify grade crossings that require safety improvements. Through the GCIP, eligible railway crossings are upgraded, relocated or closed, based on factors such as traffic volume and accident history. Improvements may include installing flashing lights and gates, linking crossing signals to nearby traffic lights, or adding new circuits or timing devices. Transport Canada finances up to 80 per cent of the total cost of grade crossing improvements, with the balance provided by the railways and road authorities.

The Government of Canada also supports other initiatives to improve safety at railway crossings. For example, Operation Lifesaver is a national public education program to reduce the needless loss of life, injuries and damages caused by highway-railway crossing collisions and train-pedestrian incidents. This program is supported jointly by Transport Canada and the Railway Association of Canada.