As someone who has been spending a lot more time in the Telkwa area lately, I cannot get used to the trains. It isn’t so much the rumble of the trains that pass through, it is the constant honking of their horns.
And it seems train traffic is on the rise. There doesn’t seem to be a consistent schedule, like a passenger train route. The number of trains, their size and loads seem to be all over the map.
Getting used to a sound, also known as adaptation, is a natural process in which the brain gradually becomes less sensitive to a repeated or constant sound. Over time, the brain filters out familiar sounds, reducing your awareness of them. However, the inconsistency of the trains and their horns makes it hard to block out.
According to Transport Canada, train whistling is an important safety measure that keeps drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians safe as prescribed under the Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR). Under the CROR, trains are required to sound the whistle at public grade crossings in the form of “long, long, short, long,” with the final “long” being sounded until the train is occupying the crossing.
The train must also sound the whistle during emergencies, during which there are limited sightlines, or when pedestrians, vehicles or animals are observed on or near the tracks.
Whistling is required by law at a public crossing unless an application has been made for anti-whistling. The municipality and railway must agree that the crossing meets the whistling cessation requirements in the Grade Crossings Regulations and the Grade Crossings Standards.
I sat by the Bulkley River for an afternoon and paid attention the whistles. More than five trains went by in a couple of hours and not a single one of them did the exact four whistles in that order, which likely means there were pedestrians or something nearby. Obviously, safety is paramount.
But what if there were other options? Something safer and quieter? Quiet is good for tourism, for wildlife and for people’s quality of life. Most people live in the Bulkley Valley because they enjoy an outdoor lifestyle.
The crossing at Coalmine Road in Telkwa is a busy one. There needs to be more done to ensure the safety of those in the area while also taking into consideration the surroundings.
According to CN, train whistles are safety devices that alert vehicle and pedestrian traffic to the presence of an approaching train and warn trespassers away from the railway right-of-way.
Under federal rules, train crews are required to whistle at all public crossings regardless of the type of crossing warning system in place. However, in certain circumstances, with the proper safety measures in place, a municipality may request that a particular crossing be exempt from whistling requirements.
What if there was an overpass at Coalmine Road? Then, train, vehicles and pedestrians could cross at the same time safely. The whistles could be reduced, reducing noise pollution while increasing safety for all. There are many trains that carry dangerous goods that run through our community. If we can reduce the areas where crashes could occur, such as Coalmine Road, the neighbourhood would be even safer.
An overpass would also help with the flow of traffic. It has happened before when a train has stopped on the tracks and traffic has to make a major detour. While there is another fire hall on that side of the tracks, to help with emergencies, getting help or getting to the hospital would still take extra time. Sometimes emergencies don’t have a couple of extra minutes.
From a safety standpoint, it seems obvious. But I know from an economic standpoint, it is difficult. The cost to build an overpass varies significantly based on factors such as location, size, complexity, and materials used.
However, recent examples include a $200 million overpass project in Burnaby and a $180 million 50th Street overpass in Edmonton. It may be most cost-effective to do a road overpass instead of a rail overpass. Or an underpass. But these are things worth exploring.
The safety and sanity of Telkwa residents are worth it.
