QUEBEC CITY, Que. — Minister for International Trade Pierre Pettigrew has announced the government will provide $183,360 in assistance to improve safety at a railway crossing in Quebec.

Since 1994, Transport Canada has contributed more than $10.8 million to 116 projects in Quebec.

“We have seen a marked improvement in accident rates and crossing fatalities across Canada over the last 10 years. However, there is still work to be done,” says Pettigrew. “This financial assistance will help the Province of Quebec improve its railway crossing safety.”

Under Transport Canada’s grade crossing improvement program, eligible railway crossings are either, 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.