Canada announces investment in rail safety

Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra and other Canadian officials this week announced more than CA$21 million in funding for new projects under the Rail Safety Improvement Program-Infrastructure, Technology and Research to enhance rail safety.

The investment will contribute to 135 initiatives across Canada that will support a range of eligible grade crossing safety improvements, small infrastructure projects such as fencing, pedestrian crossings and overpasses, and implementation and research into new safety technologies.

This year, the funding will go toward 103 crossing improvements, 18 crossing infrastructure projects, eight crossing closures, and six technology and research projects across Canada.

Over the past four years, the government has provided more than CA$85 million in the form of grants and contributions to fund safety-related projects, according to a Transport Canada press release.