Markham to spend $5.4M to silence train noise

13 of Markham's rail crossings are slated for improvements in a proposed cost-sharing plan with York Region and Metrolinx

Yorkregion.com
May 26, 2016
By Amanda Persico

Markham’s anti-whistle plans are on track, moving full speed ahead, with construction to start next spring.

“It’s good to see progress,” deputy mayor and Regional Couniclllor Jack Heath said during this week’s general committee meeting.

City staff put forward a report outlining work required at each of the 13 road-level rail crossings in the city.

The report lists both mandatory safety upgrades as well as additonal upgrades to comply with anti-whistling guidelines.

The total costs for all 13 rail crossing upgrades is $5.4 million, of which $1.94 million is to be paid for by Metrolinx, $2.2 million by the region and $1.26 million by Markham.

The city is also calling on the region to implement a 24-hour anti-whistling bylaw for regional roads.

Design plans have been put out for tender and a contract is expected to be awarded in the summer.

City staff is working on agreements with Metrolinx and the region to share costs. Construction is expected to start next spring.

There is some concern without a signed contract from Mextrolinx and the region, the project could drag on.

There also was some concern about the closed sidewalk on the west side of Kennedy Road at the rail crossing north of Hwy. 7 - a project the city has been working on for some time.

“People can’t use this section safely,” said Don Hamilton, the local councillor. “This has been going on and on and on.”

This particular sidewalk connection was part of the city’s sidewalk gap budget, but now, with rail upgrades, the crossing requires four maze barriers to be installed.

“We’re trying to aviod throw-away costs,” said the city’s engineering director, Alan Brown.

The city is working with Metrolinx to advance work on this crossing to the fall, since the sidewalk work was already budgeted, he added.

The city has also partnered with Operation Life Saver to help with outreach and education of local residents and students.

All crossings require pavement markings, new “no train whistle” or “do not stop on tracks” signs, sidewalk treatment and landscaping to clear sightlines.

Another progress update is expected in the fall.