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Transport Minister David Collenette July 29 announced that Canada plans to grant more than $8.7 million to improve safety at 71 grade crossings, adding to the $73.3 million the government has contributed to 747 similar projects since 1994.


"Although accident rates and crossing fatalities in Canada have decreased over the last 10 years, accidents at railway crossings resulted in 41 fatalities and 47 injuries across the country last year," said Collenette in a prepared statement.


Under Transport Canada's crossing-improvement program, eligible railroads, municipalities or provinces can receive up to 80 percent of the total cost to relocate, close or improve crossings, which would include installing flashing lights and gates, adding gates or extra lights, interconnecting signals to nearby traffic lights, modifying operating circuits, or adding new circuits or timing devices.


Canada's February 2000 budget included a provision to fund the program.