Proposed Addition of Gates at

Canadian National Railways Crossing

on Passmore Avenue - Cost-sharing Agreement

Ward 17 - Scarborough Agincourt

The Scarborough Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (March 16, 1998) from the Director of Road and Traffic Services, Scarborough:

Purpose:

To enter into a cost-sharing agreement with Canadian National Railways with respect to the installation of safety warning gates at the CN Rail Crossing on Passmore Avenue between Kennedy Road and Midland Avenue.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

It is estimated that the total cost of the installation of the safety warning gates is $ 83,612.30. Historically, the road authority is responsible for 12.5 percent of the total cost of any new installations, which in this case would be approximately $10,451.54. The balance of the cost will be paid by CN Railways and by Transport Canada (pending grant approval). Currently, there is funding for this provision, included in the 1998 Current Budget under Account Number 20000-70200-72420-542.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the City of Toronto enter into a cost-sharing agreement dated January 5, 1998 with Canadian National Railways to provide 12.5 percent of the cost of the installation of safety warning gates at the Canadian National Railways Crossing on Passmore Avenue between Kennedy Road and Midland Avenue; and

(2) that appropriate City officials be authorized to sign the cost-sharing agreement.

Council Reference/Background/History:

On September 30, 1997, this railway crossing was the site of a fatal incident in which a passenger vehicle was struck by a GO train as the vehicle crossed the railway tracks. In addition, a fatality occurred back in 1991 when a vehicle collided with a train at this crossing. After the first fatality an attempt to install gates at this crossing was unsuccessful due to the close proximity of the railway track switches to the crossing. The significant train activity immediately north of this crossing would have caused the gates to be lowered at times when trains were not actually crossing Passmore Avenue. Since that time this train activity has ceased and it is now possible to install the gates without causing any traffic problems on Passmore Avenue.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The installation of crossing gates would be similar to the type existing at many level railway crossings in the city. Crossing gates would provide a safer environment for trains and vehicles to travel at this location.

Conclusions:

This railway crossing has a history of two traffic fatalities which occurred because of collisions with moving trains. The installation of safety gates at this CN Railway crossing will provide an additional safety feature at this crossing. The City will be required to pay approximately $10,451.54 which represents 12.5 percent of the total cost of the installation.

Contact Name:

Gary H. Welsh

Director, Road and Traffic Services, Works & Environment, Scarborough District

Phone: 396-5061

Fax: 396-5681

Email: welsh@city.scarborough.on.ca