The City of Salmon Arm is again working to address safety and compliance concerns involving a railway crossing.
At its Jan. 22 meeting, city council voted in support a staff recommendation to authorize a rail safety funding agreement that would make $100,000 available for work at the Narcisse Street NW crossing.
The concern there has to do with the visibility of the crossing warning light on the north approach. Engineering and public works director Rob Niewenhuizen explained that CPKC (formerly CP Rail) and city staff have been working together to resolve the concern, and have looked at various options. It was determined the installation of a cantilevered light configuration (a vertical post supporting a horizontal arm with lights positioned over the crossing) would resolve the issue.
The estimated cost for the fix is $190,000, which would be shared 50-50 by the city and CPKC. However, there is an opportunity for grant funding through Transport Canada’s Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) that would cover 50 per cent of the cost. If the application is successful, half the remaining cost would be covered by the city and the remainder by CPKC.
“Staff are in support of this as we are not rail engineers and we have to rely on their recommendations,” said Niewenhuizen. “We are asking for the $100,000 to be reallocated from the Rail Grade Crossing Reserve to fund this. So essentially, we’re asking for $100,000 for the full amount, but obviously if the RSIP comes forward, we’ll be paying a lesser amount, $47,000.”
Asked about the cantilevered light, Niewenhuizen explained the lights flash when a train is coming, and then the arms come down.
“And that is obviously an issue – the sight lines are obstructed in some form so this cantilevered light will actually be more visible to traffic,” said Niewenhuizen.
Mayor Alan Harrison questioned the need when the railway crossing’s arms already indicate when not to cross. Niewenhuizen said both the arms and the flashing lights are safety requirements.
“I’m not an engineer either so I guess if we have to do it, we have to do it, but it seems to me those arms are pretty safe because when they’re there, you don’t cross,” said Harrison.
Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond asked if the crossing could be closed should the city not support the recommendation. In a report to council, staff explain a risk of this is Transport Canada issuing a non-compliance order and the crossing requiring 24-hour flagging. In an extreme case, the crossing could be shut down until remediation measures are completed. The city faced such a concern with the former Marine Park Drive crossing, which was permanently closed in May 2023 with the opening of the Ross Street underpass.
“We were threatened at the Marine crossing for 24-hour flaggers or actually closing that intersection, that grade crossing,” said Niewenhuizen. “So we don’t want to get to that point.”
With an opportunity for the city to pay less for the required safety work, Richmond said she was happy to support the recommendation.
Read more: Salmon Arm facing $1 million-plus bill for railway crossing upgrades
Read more: VIDEO: Salmon Arm residents celebrate opening of Ross Street Underpass