Canada announces over $13.5m investment to support 112 rail safety projects in GT, Hamilton

Emphasizing the need for rail safety, Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Markham-Unionville, Paul Chiang announced a multi-million dollar investment for Greater Toronto and Hamilton projects.

 

At the historic former Unionville train station in Markham, Rodriguez and Chiang revealed that the Government of Canada is investing $13.5 million to support at least 112 regional projects through the Rail Safety Improvement Program.

 

Nearly $280,000 has been allocated for a grade crossing improvement project in Markham, near the former train station where the announcement took place. Other rail safety measures would include pedestrian gates, fencing, and other initiatives at the GO Train crossing on Main Street Unionville. It is one of the dozen projects in the region that have been approved in the latest round of Rail Safety Improvement Program funding. 

Image: Red Maple Journal

Other projects range from technological updates to research initiatives under the Rail Safety Improvement Program. The government said that the program would contribute more to economic growth by ensuring the movement of goods and job creation.

 

Rodriguez, on Friday, said, “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.”

 

Additionally, Chiang said, “We have railway crossings throughout Markham, and throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas. 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.”

Image: Red Maple Journal

Since its establishment in 2016, the Rail Safety Improvement Program has funded over 1,000 projects throughout Canada, with a total investment exceeding $230 million.