The Government of Canada has announced 105 new projects and initiatives in a bid to increase rail safety across the country.

The initiatives were announced by Member of Parliament for Ottawa South David McGuinty on behalf of Minister of Transport Marc Garneau. They aim to increase public confidence in the rail transportation system by increasing safety across grade crossings, as well as rail lines.

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In Canada, nearly half of all railway-related fatalities and injuries are due to accidents at railway crossings. These projects are expected to reduce rail crossing related incidents and causalities.

Overall, the projects will receive around C$20.7m ($15.9) under the government’s Rail Safety Improvement Program.

“We are working closely with railway companies and road authorities to identify grade crossings that require safety improvements.”

McGuinty said: “The Rail Safety Improvement Program is an important part of Transport Canada’s comprehensive approach to improving the safety of rail transportation across Canada.

“In funding these projects, we are reinforcing our commitment to enhance rail safety in urban and rural areas.”

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The new funding will be used to carry out safety improvements on rail property, deployment of new technologies, as well as facilitate research and studies addressing additional safety on rail projects.

Furthermore, two rail safety education and awareness initiatives will also be funded under the programme.

Garneau said: “A safe and secure national rail transportation system is important to local communities and to Canada’s economic well-being.

“We are working closely with railway companies and road authorities to identify grade crossings that require safety improvements.”

The new rail safety programme follows three previous similar initiatives with an increased overall funding level and includes more projects.

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