The City of Vernon has its own cross to bear over a delinquent railway crossing.

Council voted unanimously Monday, Jan. 8, at its first regular meeting of 2024, to spend nearly $330,000 from 2022 uncommitted balance reserves to fix the railway crossing at Anderson Way, in the city鈥檚 north end.

The city was alerted by Transport Canada in September about a grocery list of concerns and non-compliance issues regarding the crossing.

鈥淎re we sure this is our responsibility for this issue, and are we ready to step up and pay to correct it?鈥� questioned Coun. Brian Guy.

Senior project manager Jackson Stewart assured Guy the city was partially to blame.

鈥淣ew Transport Canada grade crossing regulations were published in November 2014, and amended in 2019 and 2021,鈥� said Stewart. 鈥淭he regulations were updated to improve public safety at all grade crossings across Canada. When the crossing was installed, it was correct for the time.鈥�

The letter received by the city also pointed out problems and non-compliances that are the responsibility of the railway, Canadian National. The city鈥檚 transportation department responded with a letter outlining the corrective actions it will take.

鈥淭o remedy these concerns and meet compliance, an upgraded crossing warning system must be installed,鈥� said Stewart.

Transport Canada said the deadline for compliance is Nov. 28, 2024.

Staff recommended the city provide a maximum of 50 per cent of the cost of the new system at the crossing, which would be $328,822. That number could drop if Canadian National is successful in its application for a Transport Canada Rail Safety Improvement Program grant, which would cover 50 per cent of the construction costs and would be shared between CN and the city.

Vernon鈥檚 portion, if the grant is received, would be $164, 411.

Council voted unanimously in favour of spending the money to fix the crossing.

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