INNISFAIL – Construction is completed for the upgrade to the longstanding controversial unregulated White Rock pedestrian rail crossing near the Innisfail Schools Campus.
The Town of Innisfail made the announcement on Nov. 9 following confirmation from a CP Rail administrator, said a town spokesperson.
“Very few other details were provided, so the message didn’t contain much information beyond the fact that the crossing was available for the public to use,” said Ken Kowalchuk, the town’s communications coordinator.
Attempts to contact CP Rail by The Albertan for further comment were not immediately successful.
Last week town officials were exuberant that White Rock Crossing, located between 47th Street and 54th Avenue, was finally ready for legal and safe use for hundreds of school children who have used it for many years to get to school in the morning, and return home in the afternoon.
“I am very pleased it has finished. I understand there is continuing education that is going to take place with the schools for the kids and the safety at that crossing,” said Town of Innisfail Mayor Jean Barclay. “It’s great to see something where there’s safety arms and bells. I think it gives us a safer community as opposed to kids crossing there with nothing. It’s finished and it (trail) will get paved next year.”
There is currently a temporary crushed rock trail leading to the crossing. The town set aside $150,000 in its 2021 budget to pave the trail but due to the timing of construction this year and with winter approaching, it won’t be finished until next year.
“We ran out of time but it was the weather that prevented us,” said Kowalchuk, noting the pedestrian crossing portion of the project cost $450,000, giving a final price tag of about $600,000.
The controversy over the White Rock Crossing has been lingering for more than two and half years following disturbing reports from town officials that school children were repeatedly playing "super dangerous" games of chicken with trains.” The reports went on to say the ages of children involved were between seven and 11-years-old.
The town then entered into discussions with CP Rail to find a solution and both parties ultimately agreed to upgrade White Rock Crossing. Although there was some discussion to include fencing along the track from 42nd to 50th streets it was ultimately determined by CP Rail it was not necessary.
“What they (CP Rail) see with those types of crossings is that fences don’t necessarily provide any additional support, really,” said Gary Leith, the town’s manager of fire and protective services, who emphasized final construction of the actual crossing is a “significant decision by the town to improve safety in that area.
“We had a goat trail when we surveyed it, and we had 150 children crossing there with no proper trail,” added Leith. “That investment is awesome from my side of it, and relief to the point that we now have some elements of safety controls in that area.”
In the meantime, Leith said the town's peace officers, Innisfail RCMP and CP Police Service will continue to step up its rail safety education campaign at Innisfail Schools Campus, which began in September through Rail Safety Week from Sept. 20 to 26.
He noted that with the pandemic still a public safety hazard, rail safety educational seminars can’t be physically conducted inside the schools. However, twice a day – before and after classes begin and end - peace officers will continue to be present at White Rock Crossing to ensure safety is being practised by young students.
“Obviously this has been in operation for just over a week now, and we want to make sure that education piece is ongoing, and once we’re seeing 100 per cent level of compliance our frequency will drop off to just a maintenance issue,” said Leith. “They (students) are being spoken to, and potentially written warnings could be issued if it looks like we’re not getting positive responses from the individuals.
“That education piece is ongoing and is being done in conjunction with CP Rail officers when they are available.”
Leith emphasized the trio of law enforcement teams are fully prepared to issue fines under recently amended provincial trespassing legislation to repeat offenders. He said a first offence would be a $600 fine, while repeat offenders could be fined up to $10,000.
