HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWD-015-22Staff Report
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Report To: Council
Date of Meeting: June 20, 2022 Report Number: PWD-015-22
Submitted By:
Reviewed By:
File Number:
Report Subject:
Stephen Brake, Director of Public Works
Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO Resolution#: C-149-22
By-law Number: 22-38
Transport Canada - Rail Safety Improvement Program Agreement –
Cobbledick Road
Recommendations:
1.That Report PWD-015-22 and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2.That the By-Law attached to Report PWD-015-22, as Attachment 1, to authorize the
Mayor and Clerk to execute, on behalf of the Corporation of the Municipality of
Clarington, and seal with the Corporation seal, a Rail Safety Improvement Program
Agreement (RSIP) for grade level crossing improvements at Cobbledick Road in
Newcastle, between the Government of Canada and the Corporation of the
Municipality of Clarington, be approved; and
3.That all interested parties listed in Report PWD-015-22 and any delegations be
advised of Council’s decision.
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report PWD-015-22
Report Overview
The Municipality of Clarington submitted an application to Transport Canada for funding
under their Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) for grade level crossing improvements
at Cobbledick Road in Newcastle. Clarington has received approval for funding up to
$697,255.20 for this project which will span over 2 years due to project design and
implementation complexity. The report is written with the intent to create a by-law authorizing
the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement with the Government of Canada.
1. Background
1.1 The Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) provides grant and contribution funding to
improve rail safety and reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities related to rail
transportation. Staff monitor all level crossings in the Municipality of Clarington and each
crossing is evaluated annually to determine the location(s) that meet the criteria for
RSIP funding. Based on these criteria, staff identified the Cobbledick Road grade level
crossing of the CN Rail corridor would benefit from the RSIP.
1.2 In July 2021, the Municipality of Clarington submitted an application for funding under
the RSIP for the Cobbledick Road crossing and, in April 2022, the Municipality was
notified as being a successful recipient of RSIP funding. Per the conditions of the
funding program, construction of the improvement works needs to be completed by
March 31, 2024.
1.3 The proposed works at the Cobbledick Road grade level crossing include the installation
of a new cantilevered warning system, installation of a Constant Warning Time Device /
Motion Sensor Device, relocation of the CN Rail communications bungalow, corrections
to roadway signage and line paint, and vegetation removals. This location was selec ted
due to the following considerations:
Limited sightline visibility to the existing warning system for southbound traffic
over the Highway 401 overpass where higher vehicle speeds and a downward
road grade increase required stopping distances.
The close proximity of Service Road to the grade level crossing which has
blocked sightlines due to CN above ground infrastructure.
The rail corridor carries CN Rail freight in addition to VIA Rail passenger trains
which vary in travel speed. This variance creates a non-uniform warning signal
activation which can result in excessive queues due to slow trains and can lead
to impatient motorists. The Constant Warning Time Device is intended to create
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report PWD-015-22
uniformity and predictability in warning system activations and deter dangerous
movements due to impatience or false perceptions of a clear rail corridor.
There are several signage and line painting deficiencies that are not in
compliance with current grade crossing standards that need to be rectified.
1.4 The majority of the improvement works fall under the responsibility of CN Rail to design,
coordinate, and implement. Public Works Staff have engaged CN Rail regarding the
proposed improvements and a review is underway by CN to establish the parameters of
the design. Funding was requested over a 2-year span due to the substantial design
and coordination work required and to allow CN Rail sufficient time to implement these
improvements to meet the RSIP grant funding deadlines.
2. Proposal
2.1 Prior to entering into an agreement, Transport Canada requires a by-law (Attachment 1)
to be passed authorizing Staff to execute the agreement with the Government of
Canada.
3. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by the Deputy CAO / Treasurer who concurs with the
recommendations.
4. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the
funding agreement between the Government of Canada and the Municipality of
Clarington and that the By-law, provided as Attachment 1, be approved.
Staff Contact: Robert Brezina, Capital Works Engineer, 905-623-3379 Ext. 2331 or
rbrezina@clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - By-law to Report PWD-015-22
Interested Parties:
The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision:
Transport Canada
Canadian National Railway
Attachment 1 to Report PWD-015-22
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Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131.
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
By-law 2022-XXX
Being a by-law to authorize the Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington to enter
into the Rail Safety Improvement Program Agreement with the Government of Canada.
Now therefore the Council of the Municipality of Clarington enacts as follows:
1. That the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute, on behalf of the
Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington, and seal with the Corporation seal,
a Rail Safety Improvement Program Agreement (RSIP) for grade level crossing
improvements at Cobbledick Road in Newcastle, as outlined in Report PWD-015-
22, between the Government of Canada and the Corporation of the Municipality
of Clarington.
Passed in Open Council this XX day of MMMM, 2022.
_____________________________________
Adrian Foster, Mayor
_____________________________________
June Gallagher, Municipal Clerk