A CN Rail train enters the level crossing at 6th Avenue South in Warman

A five-foot high chain link fence will be erected on the north side of the CN Rail tracks in Warman between Industrial Road and 6th Avenue South.

The 3,000-foot-long fence is one of the final conditions needed before Transport Canada is able to allow CN Rail to cease blowing train whistles at the two level crossings at Industrial Road and 6th Avenue South.  Both level crossings have automatic flashing lights and signal arms.

The fence is required in order to prevent pedestrians from crossing the tracks between the two signalized level crossings.

Warman City Council voted at its regular meeting on Monday, October 25 to approve construction of the fence, although some councillors felt the railway company should shoulder the cost.

“The railway yard is a mess and a safety hazard,” said Warman City Councillor Trevor Peterson. “I’m surprised someone hasn’t been seriously hurt there.”

The south side of the tracks, where CN Rail stores its equipment, rails and other materials, is not slated to be fenced.

In a report to the October 25 city council meeting, Warman Planning and Development Manager Brad Toth said the process for whistle cessation has taken several years to get to this point.

“The city has been working with CN over the last few years with the end goal of requesting whistle cessation at two intersections within city limits,” he said in his report.  “The locations are the crossing on Industrial Road South, and 6th Avenue South. There is still an uncontrolled crossing west of the city on Thompson Road South that will be subject to standard rules around blowing the whistle. However, requesting cessation at the two intersections described above should drastically reduce the duration of whistles, especially through the corridor between North and South Railway Streets.”

Previous upgrades to the crossings include warning lights and bells, signal arms and improved line markings and signage. The cost of these measures was shared between the city and Transport Canada.

However, the city will pay the total cost of the fence. A competitive bid process saw three proposals. Council voted at its October 25 meeting to award the contract to the lowest bidder, Madsen Fence, for a total cost of $50,682.34.

Council also passed a motion at its October 25 meeting formally requesting that train whistling stop at the crossings at Industrial Road South (Mile 66.07) and 6th Avenue South (Mile 65.54.).

Installation of the fence is expected to begin shortly.

Whistle cessation is still dependent on approval by CN. A formal date for when whistle cessation will take place is not yet known.