City proposes safety study of noisy railroad crossing

Saskatoon city hall is chugging along as it tries to silence train whistles at a crossing south of the city limits.

A City of Saskatoon report proposes spending $5,000 on a study with the Rural Municipality of Corman Park of the CN Rail crossing of Range Road 3051.

The study, for which Corman Park would also pay $5,000, would determine whether the crossing meets the criteria to stop the whistles.

The crossing is located just southeast of the Stonebridge neighbourhood on the east side of the Highway 11 train overpass. The noise from whistles disturbs some who live in Stonebridge.

“Range Road 3051 at-grade crossing is equipped with the highest level of protection including flashing warning lights and gates,” the report says.

Despite the flashing lights and gates, the report suggests the crossing might still fall short of the requirements for stopping the whistle, due to the condition of the road.

The road is considered seasonal and not maintained in winter, which usually means that Transport Canada guidelines will not grant a whistle exemption unless the road is completely closed, the report states.

A handful of properties are located along the road, which is situated west of Greenbryre Golf and Country Club. The road is located entirely in the RM of Corman Park.

Under Transport Canada rules, the first step toward stopping the whistles is to conduct a safety assessment of the crossing. That study will determine whether the crossing needs upgrades or whether it meets the criteria to stop the whistles.

Stonebridge resident Ted Hansen appeared before city council’s transportation committee in August to ask for help in addressing the noise from train whistles.

Hansen, who lives on Veltkamp Crescent, about half a kilometre from the crossing, said Stonebridge residents are “assaulted” by train whistles 150 times a day.

The transportation committee is expected to consider the report on the crossing on Monday.