30 October 2006
Millet Residents Would Blow Whistle on Noisy Trains
Millet Alberta - The sound of train whistles is not music
to some residents' ears in Millet.
Residents Dave Hagen and Bob Smith spoke to council about creating a bylaw to eliminate the operation of train whistles for
non-emergency purposes when trains travel through town. However, Mayor Dave Gursky explained that until crossing arms are
installed at the 53 Avenue crossing, "the town cannot even consider a no-whistle bylaw."
A letter drafted by the mayor and council read, "Following a third fatality at the 53 Avenue crossing, (Canadian Pacific Railway)
identified crossing arms would be a requirement at the 53 Avenue crossing." The cost of such infrastructure would be
approximately $280,000. CPR plans to file an application with the federal transport department to cover 80 percent of the cost. The
CPR would pay for 7.5 percent and the town of Millet and the provincial transport department would pay the remaining 12.5 percent.
Millet would have to take on some serious financial obligations were it to proceed with a no-whistle bylaw. The CPR
right-of-way on both sides would have to have chain-link fences installed. Moreover, if the town chose to
keep the pedestrian crossing intact at 47 Avenue, electronic gates and lights at the pedestrian crossing would have to be installed.
"Until the aforementioned sequence of events occurs, the council of the town of Millet will not be considering a
No-whistle bylaw," the letter concluded.
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