Canada pledges funds to improve Quebec grade crossing

The Canadian government will spend more than CA$335,000 to upgrade the signal system at a grade crossing in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada's Minister of Transport Marc Garneau announced this week.

The warning system for the Route 116 crossing at Benoit Road will be upgraded so it can continue managing incoming traffic from multiple directions, Transport Canada officials said in a press release.

The upgrades will allow sufficient time for motor vehicles to clear the crossing, prevent vehicles from entering the crossing when the signal starts to flash and reduce the risk of collision between trains and vehicles.

Canada's Rail Safety Improvement Program will distribute the funds. This year, Canada has dedicated CA$20 million for 105 rail safety projects.

The funds will go toward grade crossing improvements, new technologies, rail safety research and closures of unsafe crossings.

"We are working closely with railway companies and road authorities to identify grade crossings that require safety improvements," Garneau said.