advertisement

---

Yesterday, Canadian municipal governments and railroads launched a joint Web site designed to provide information on freight and passenger roads, the communities they serve, city and railroad contacts, and how all parties can work together to resolve proximity issues.

Accessible at www.proximityissues.ca, the site was developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Railway Association of Canada (RAC) and various railroads.

"There was a lack of communication, as much as there was good intentions,
between the railway and the community at large," said Port Moody Mayor John Trasolini, who participated in a community/railroad case study on resolving proximity issues, in a prepared statement. "Lack of information usually leads to mistrust."

Proximity issues include train noise and vibration effects for people living near tracks, blocked grade crossings, and land use or zoning concerns.

"Railways serve their customers through a network of connections that, by nature, can involve many communities along the line," said Canadian Pacific Railway Community Relations Manager Rick Poznikoff, who also participated in the case study.

The FCM and RAC represent 1,100 municipal governments and 60 railroads, respectively.