Silencing Transit Horns Still a Work In Progress
Posted By: Rachel Kavanagh
Silencing Transit Horns Still a Work In Progress – Back on October 23, 2017, construction began on the whistling cessation measures at five rail crossings. They were:
- Eureka St.
- Kennedy Rd (North of Austin Dr.)
- Main St. Markham
- Castlemore Ave.
- Major Mackenzie Dr. E.
To date, only seven of the sixteen rail crossings have the required safety upgrades and inspections to implement the stoppage. They include Eureka Street, Main Street Unionville, Kennedy Road North, Snider Drive, Main Street Markham, Castlemore Ave and Major Mackenzie Dr. The Denison St crossing is nearing completion and will be ready for inspection in the coming weeks.
The crossings at McCowan Rd, 16th Ave, Bur Oak Ave, Kennedy Rd South and Hwy 7 are complete, but await Metrolinx approval for implementation, according to the City of Markham.
Residents have been upset with the delay and fear that the city’s $6-million whistle cessation project has gone off the rails. Mayor Frank Scarpitti promised the residents in a council meeting about two years ago he would personally ensure that there were no delays, that he would be on top of this project and that he would be at the end of a letter or telephone to ensure the project is completed on time. Residents have now reached the end of their rope and are fed up with all the broken promises.
Delays that blew the November 2018 completion date off track were attributed to issues outside the city’s control, such as construction deficiencies, design modifications and the ability to secure necessary flagging to work within the rail corridor.
To make matters worse an additional late-night train that runs at 12:08 am, has been added to the Stouffville GO line.
Mayor Frank Scarpitti indicated while the city is in daily communication with Metrolinx to look at all options to expedite the project, public safety will not be jeopardized by rushing approvals or implementation of the crossings.
The mayor added, “a project of this magnitude, a first of its kind in the GTA, must be done correctly and any deficiency to the crossing will be inspected, corrected and tested before any implementation is to take place. I will not sacrifice public safety to silence a horn, nor will Metrolinx.”
The project continues to move forward, but with no new deadline set who knows how long it will take until this projected is completed.
Silencing Transit Horns Still a Work In Progress written by Benczik Team Realty
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