The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the City of Terrace are partnering on a project to install traffic signals at the Frank Street railway crossing at Highway 16 in Terrace.

The new signals will be similar to the ones at the Highway 16 and Kenney Street intersection, which are integrated with the CN signal system. This system controls the traffic lights and regulates the traffic flow as trains approach the crossing, giving motorists ample warning of an approaching train.

On June 6, 2013, Transport Canada issued an order to CN Rail to close the Frank Street crossing to all traffic following a near-miss incident between a vehicle in excess of 12 metres and a CN train on June 4. The crossing was closed on June 11. This is leading to more traffic congestion and longer delays at the two remaining crossings at Kenney Street and the Sande Street overpass, as well as routing industrial traffic into areas with more pedestrians and cyclists.

The new signals will allow for the eventual re-opening of the Frank Street crossing to long-vehicle traffic, making it safer, more efficient for industrial traffic and easing traffic congestion at the other two crossings. In the interim, Transport Canada has agreed to lift the order allowing CN Rail to re-open the crossing, provided the city restricts the length of northbound vehicles to under 12 metres in length.

It is expected that the Transport Canada requirements will be met early this week and the crossing will be re-opened with restrictions in place later in the week.

The project, which is expected to cost approximately $350,000, will be cost-shared between the ministry and the city. Work on the project will begin as soon as possible, and is expected to be completed by next spring.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone -

"I'm pleased that we were able to work with the City of Terrace so quickly to address the challenges of the Frank Street crossing closure. Safety is the ministry's top priority, and the new signals will increase safety at the crossing, allow better access to the industrial area for commercial vehicles and ease the congestion at the Kenney and Sande crossings."

Mayor of Terrace David Pernarowski -

"On behalf of council, I would like to thank the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for working closely with city staff to quickly resolve this issue. Once the signals are in place, commercial trucks will be able to safely use this route. Transportation access and infrastructure development is a high priority in our community as major industrial activity continues to grow."

Learn More:

Learn more about transportation projects happening throughout B.C. at: www.th.gov.bc.ca/tranprojectsbc/

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241