Aurora considers blowing whistle on GO Transit train horns

YorkRegion.com
Oct. 7, 2016
Teresa Latchford

Aurora town council will consider blowing the whistle.

Council is set to discuss a suggestion brought forward by Mayor Geoff Dawe regarding GO trains blowing whistles at railway crossings in town. The motion recommends town staff bring back a report on the process for whistle cessation along with previous studies conducted by the town on the subject as well as an implementation plan and budget.

“Right now there are five (GO) trains in the morning and another five at night,” Dawe said. “When the service expands there will be more.”

Metrolinx is moving ahead with its Regional Express Rail program which will bring all-day, 15-minute service through Aurora. An increase in service means an increase in noise from the required train whistling, which could impact local residents, especially those who live close to the tracks.

Transport Canada does have a procedure for whistle cessation, but it does come with a hefty price tag to the town and in turn the taxpayer.

“To eliminate whistles there are crossing controls that need to be put in place which all come with a cost,” Dawe added.

There would be a cost associated with building an above grade crossing over Wellington Street or running the tracks beneath a street crossing. Even installing crossing arms and lights at railway crossings could be expensive.

“If I had to make the decision today, I would let the whistles blow because I would rather know a train is coming than get run over,” he said. “But we want to get this on the horizon now because we know the service is coming and it can take some time to sort things out.”

This isn’t the first time Aurora has looked at whistle cessation nor is the town the first municipality in York Region to explore the issue.

In 2013 Markham formed a GO anti-whistling working group, in 2015 petitions were presented to city council and now Markham’s $6-million anti-whistle plan including 26 maze barriers and eight pedestrian gates is set to begin construction in 2017.

Stouffville announced earlier this year it's intention to silence the whistles at crossings as well.

Barrie spent more than $195,000 to ban whistles at three rail crossings in 2011.

The motion will be considered at the next council meeting on Oct. 11.