Markham's anti-train noise movement gains steam

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 24, 2015
By Amanda Persico

Markham has agreed to add some steam to efforts to cut train noise as the city anticipates more frequent commuter train service in the city in the next two years.

The city first looked at establishing an anti-whistle bylaw back in June 2008.

But with all-day GO train service on the horizon, residents are calling for an anti-whistle bylaw to be in effect prior to all-day service’s start in 2017.

Metrolinx’s regional express railway study is looking at electrified, two-way service every 15 minutes between Union Station in Toronto and Unionville and 20-minute service between Unionville and Lincolnville, the northernmost stop on the Stouffville line.

That means an increase from the current 15 trains a day to about 50 trains a day chugging through Unionville.

The train blasts its horn four times at each crossing along the GO Train line. There are 17 public crossings between Steeles Avenue and the city’s urban boundary just north of 19th Avenue.

This week, residents who live near the tracks presented a petition with 2,300 signatures calling on the city to stop the horns.

“The train and its horn are our obnoxious neighbours,” said Main Street Unionville resident Michelle Sukul-Chan.

“We have to schedule our outdoor activities around the train. No dinner tonight outside because the train is disruptive. So, we wait till the weekend.

“My 6-year-old asked me to say to you, ‘Stop the horns so we can sleep longer and wake up happy,’” Sukul-Chan said.

Before an anti-whistle bylaw is passed, safety measures, such as pedestrian gates, bells and lights are needed.

Through a recent safety audit, city staff learned more than a dozen crossings are not up to snuff.

There is debate over who is responsible for rail crossing upgrades, the city or Metrolinx.

Since the upgrades are required regardless of anti-whistle action, councillors suggested costs should fall on Metrolinx’s plate.

But under the new rail crossing guidelines, Metrolinx has seven years to complete the upgrades.

Residents urged council to take the lead by allocating an additional $500,000 on top of city staff’s $300,000 in the 2016 budget for rail crossing safety measures.

“Putting in anti-whistle measures will dramatically improve the quality of life for a large number of residents,” said Masood Mohajer. “We urge you to take a leadership role on this.”

The committee called on city staff to hire a rail safety expert to confirm findings in the rail safety crossing audit, as well as confirm funding for rail crossings upgrade from both the region for regional roads and from Metrolinx.

The committee agreed to include $800,000 for rail crossing upgrade measures in the 2016 budget process, which is still subject to approval, and to report back with a detailed work plan and schedule.