The lonesome wail of train whistles may not be heard quite as often inside Warman city limits in the near future.
CN Rail has accepted a proposal by the city to construct fencing from Industrial Road to 6th Avenue South to help prevent trespassing on the tracks. Once the fence is installed and regulatory approvals are granted, the railway company will then be in a position to approve whistle cessation for the two controlled crossings inside city limits.
In a report to Warman City Council’s committee of the whole meeting on Monday, August 16, the city’s planning and development department said discussions with the railway company over whistle cessation at the two crossings have been ongoing for some time. Since bells and arms were installed at the two crossings several years ago, train whistles are no longer the sole source of warning for an approaching train.
However, in order for whistle cessation to take effect, a number of safety concerns must be addressed. Fencing railway property inside the city to discourage trespassing is one of the requirements.
The city is currently completing final plans for the fencing, which is estimated to cost between $35,000 and $40,000. Public consultation on the whistle cessation project is expected to begin soon.
However, residents close to the tracks will still be treated to the familiar late-night blast of train whistles. There are several uncontrolled level crossings just outside city limits which still require trains to signal well in advance of their approach.
A motion for final approval of the fencing proposal, and train whistle cessation inside city limits, is slated to come before Warman City Council later this fall.