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Table of contents
OBJECTIVESSafety at grade crossings is a primary focus of Transport Canada. It is logical, therefore, to encourage closing of crossings where a safety hazard exists. Government contributions are available to encourage closing of certain grade crossings that are under federal jurisdiction. Though currently administered under the Grade Crossing Improvement Program (GCIP), crossing closures are funded under Section 12.1 of the Railway Safety Act (RSA). A crossing closure grant is designed to provide a maximum incentive of $5000.00 for closing a restricted crossing, and $20,000.00 for closing an unrestricted crossing. A person's receipt of a grant from Transport Canada will not be jeopardized by the person's receiving similar incentives from other sources. ELIGIBLE CROSSINGSThe grant for closing crossings must be for a crossing where a safety concern or hazard exists, or, where the closing of the crossing will divert the user to an adjacent crossing where a higher level of safety exists. The impact of closing a crossing on all vehicular and pedestrian traffic movements must be addressed. The closure must not result in a creation of a trespass situation nor can the closing of the crossing create a safety concern at other crossings. ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTSRecipients will be a PERSON, as defined in the Railway Safety Act. This is normally a road authority, or a private party with rights to a crossing. A railway company can not receive a grant, however it will benefit from any crossing closure. Whether a road authority or a private party, the recipient must be the PERSON with whom the right to the crossing resides. The crossing must be on a line of a federally regulated railway and must have been in existence for at least three years. STACKINGThe goal of this program is to encourage the closing of crossings; therefore a grant under Section 12.1 will not preclude other funding agreements between the parties involved, normally the railway company and the road authority. In addition, if the closing of a crossing causes a serious traffic concern, funding under Section 12 of the RSA under the GCIP may be appropriate to address this concern. No eligible cost definition is applicable but all other sources of funding must be disclosed. The grant is provided to compensate for the forfeiture of the recipient's rights and NOT for the costs incurred to physically close the crossings. Therefore, neither the existence nor the award of this grant can be used as a factor in reducing other assistance to the recipient. THE APPLICATIONThe following information is required for an application:
Risk assessment principles will apply. The grant will be evaluated and audited by applying a risk-based analysis. An on-site inspection and provision of additional information may be required. Where a closing results in closing a public road, all required approvals pursuant to provincial or municipal legislation must be in place prior to payment of a grant. Applications for a grant to close a crossing should be sent to: The Minister of Transport Attention: Copies of the application are to be sent to the appropriate Regional Director, Surface, Transport Canada and to the other authorities involved (please refer to Transport Canada Offices Section for addresses). MAXIMUM AMOUNTThe maximum amount of a grant is $20,000.00 for an unrestricted crossing and $5000.00 for a restricted crossing. APPROVALApproval will be based on the seriousness of the safety problem or hazard, and the potential for avoiding fatalities, injuries and damage. The following factors are used in prioritizing, and in assessing a grade crossing for closing:
Notification of approval is sent to the applicant by Transport Canada. The maximum grant authorized will be based upon the risk assessed. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTSAs stated in Section 12.1 of the RSA, the key requirement of the agreement is that the person's rights relating to the crossing are extinguished. The agreement will be filed with the Canadian Transportation Agency. Pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), an environmental assessment (EA) of a project may have to be completed prior to Transport Canada (TC) providing financial assistance that would enable a project to be carried out in whole or in part. If determined to be necessary, proponents shall conduct the EA of their project proposals, to be completed in accordance, with TC instructions, prior to the commencement of any project related works. PAYMENTPayment will be made to the recipient in one lump sum, payable only after the agreement extinguishing the recipient's rights to the crossing is filed with the Canadian Transportation Agency, AND the crossing is physically closed to the satisfaction of Transport Canada. TRANSPORT CANADA OFFICESNational headquartersTransport Canada - Rail
Safety Regional officesThe following regional sites provide information on services and activities as well as local contacts. Pacific Region - Rail
(British Columbia) Prairie and
Northern Region - Surface (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest
Territories and Nunavut) Ontario
Region - Surface (Ontario) Quebec Region - Rail
Transport (Quebec) Atlantic Region - Rail
Transport (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and
Newfoundland & Labrador) Other Related Web Sites:
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