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Update July 21, 2009 - We are getting closer

Update September 5, 2008 - The Region Has Agreed

Can We Stop the Train Whistle?

The Town of Markham has reported on what needs to be done to stop the Train Whistles in the morning.  This will become more important as we eventually move to all day service for the Go Trains, and when they extend the service to Uxbridge, there may be more trains.

So far, as of August 2007, I have not received back a definitive answer, but the work had started.  The required gates are in and some approvals have been received, but the Region of York did not grant approval.  That means more discussion.   In the meantime, we are looking at installing a horn on the crossing signal instead of on the Train.  Evidentially, because the horn on the post is directed only at the roadway, it gives better warning to cars and makes less noise for the surrounding neighbourhoods.  

I will keep you up to speed as it progresses.

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The Region Agrees

September 5, 2008

It has been 3 years now that I've been working on getting the trains to stop whistling.  We have got the extra crossing gates installed and the required legal paperwork to have them run silent, but the Region of York failed to sign off.

I have a letter from the Region that will be tabled at the September 8th General Committee Meeting at the Town and will then proceed to Council.

The letter states that the Region will sign off on the agreement and will adopt the risk and liability for trains crossing the Regional roads.  It then goes back to the Railway for them to implement the plan. I'd like to think that they stop before Christmas, but we don't have jurisdiction over the Railway, so I can't speculate on an accurate time frame.

As far as the extra noise of the all day GO Train Service is concerned, the service will start with trains stopping at the Unionville Station to meet with the VIVA bus system. 

I hope as the density increases along Highway 48 that we will eventually have it extended to us.

Once again, I'll keep you updated as this progresses.

We are Getting Closer to Train Whistle Cessation

July 21 2009

Now that we are in the middle of summer, and our windows are open, the sound of the Train Whistle is more annoying.  Also, the new crossing is open at Castlemore, and so a new neighbourhood is becoming affected.

Let me start here with what I've done to help so far.

In 2005, the Town Council started talking about how to stop the Train Whistle at crossings in Unionville.  I was adamant that the study area be expanded to Major Mackenzie.

At the June 10, 2008 Town of Markham Council meeting, Council endorsed the implementation of train anti-whistle by-laws with priority given to 13 level crossings located within Markham's urban boundary.  We also requested that the Region of York and Toronto implement anti-whistling by-laws at their crossings within the Town of Markham and requested that the Region of York amend their policy to accept train whistle cessation periods other than overnight, and that the Region of York be responsible for costs, risks and liability at their level crossings.

The Uxbridge Train Line has 16 level train crossings, of which 12 travel through existing communities.  Of the 16 level crossings, 7 are under the responsibility of the Region of York, 1 is the responsibility of Toronto, and 8 are the responsibility of the Town.

There are currently 10 commuter trains, 5 in the morning and 5 in the evening.  Metrolinx has recommended all day service in their 15 year program which will increase the number of trains to approximately 17 trains per day.  This will start as far as the Unionville Station, but will eventually reach us in the East of Markham.

At the June 19, 2008 York Region Council meeting, the Regional Council adopted a new Anti-Whistle Warrant Criteria policy that:

• Entertains anti-whistling by-law requests from the local municipalities with different hours of restrictions other than the original overnight restriction between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am;
• Requires a safety audit by a specialized consultant and the audit be approved by Transport Canada;
• Requires pedestrian gates (where pedestrian volumes exist) and associated cost will be the responsibility of the Region at Regional train crossings;
• An educational program is developed for the affected area;
• That the Region will be responsible for risk and liability at train crossings on Regional roads.

In August 2008, the Town of Markham retained a consultant to identify safety deficiencies and mitigation measures at level crossings along the Uxbridge rail corridor.  The consultant completed the safety audit in October 2008 and recommended the following:

General mitigation measures:

• Signs and pavement installations / relocations
• Sight lines to be corrected.

Specific mitigation measures:

• Eureka Street needs improvement including possible land acquisition.
• Bur Oak Avenue approaches needs to be re-graded (2% grade).  This needs to be finalized

The consultant identified that train whistle cessation can be implemented provided that the deficiencies be corrected.

The Next Steps. The Town of Markham Staff are:

• proceeding with the steps recommended by the consultant,
• Finalizing the Regional funding ($500,000), commitment, Whistle Cessation times and scheduling.
• Update Town of Markham Council in the Fall 2009 as to the project status including:
  • Region of York funding approval and whistle cessation times
  • Responses from the general public. (e-mail me at jwebster@markham.ca and I will make sure your thoughts are part of the solution)
  • Comments from agencies (CN/GO and York Region)
  • Insurance and indemnification agreements
  • Update schedule
  • Eureka Street options
  • Bur Oak re-grading.

As before, I will keep this page updated as we progress.  Please keep sending me your e-mails of support so that this will move forward quickly.

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