OTTAWA, Ont. — The federal government will provide $4,554,100 to improve safety at 39 railway crossings across the country, Transport Canada has announced.

According to government figures, accident rates and crossing fatalities across Canada have reached their lowest levels in ten years. Nonetheless, accidents at railway crossings resulted in 33 deaths and 33 injuries across the country last year.

Under Transport Canada’s grade crossing improvement program, eligible railway crossings would be upgraded, relocated or closed.

Improvements may include the installation of flashing lights and gates, the addition of gates or extra lights to existing systems, the interconnection of crossing signals to nearby traffic lights, the modification of operating circuits, or the addition of new circuits or timing devices.

The department finances up to 80 per cent of the total cost of the improvements, with the balance provided by the railways, municipalities or provinces.