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By rdnewsNOW staff

Four of Five Rail Crossings

City of Lacombe taking next steps towards train whistle cessation

Sep 13, 2023 | 10:45 AM

CP Rail (Canadian Pacific) has given the green light for the City of Lacombe to apply for whistle cessation at three of five rail crossings in the community.

The move follows an inspection completed in August 2023, with a fourth crossing also approved pending the completion of a pedestrian crossing – work that was scheduled in 2023 but has been deferred to 2024.

City officials say the fifth crossing at the Highway 12/ Highway 2A intersection requires significant re‐design and upgrade due to vehicles queuing on the tracks despite updated signage and pavement markings.

The City says the changes CP Rail requires for whistle cessation will negatively impact traffic congestion at this intersection.

At council’s most recent meeting on Sept. 11, City administration recommended investigating alternative long‐term options for the Highway 12/ Highway 2A intersection to improve safety, enable whistle cessation and increase long‐term traffic capacity.

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In the interim, administration recommended applying for whistle cessation at the four eligible crossings to reduce train whistles within the City. Further, administration recommended requesting Lacombe County apply for whistle cessation at the 34 St. and Range Road 270 crossings.

As a result, council directed administration to initiate the whistle cessation process for the four eligible rail crossings within the city boundary and to request Lacombe County to apply for whistle cessation at the 34 St. and Range Road 270 crossings.

Council also directed administration to include the costs to develop options to address the long‐term needs of the Highway 12/Highway 2A intersection in the 2024 Capital Budget for council’s consideration.