In November 2016, Houston Today reported on the District of Houston council’s decision to apply to the Rail Safety Improvement Program for financial assistance to improve the safety, injuries and fatalities related to rail transporation.
At the November 2016 council meeting, staff was directed to apply for the drop arm on Benson Avenue, fencing from the Via Rail building to Benson Avenue, fencing around Benson Avenue to Buck Creek and an upgrade to the North Nadina crossing.
On July 18, 2017 district staff returned a report to Houston council which states that of the five projects the District of Houston has been awarded a grant for 50 per cent of the total cost, or $80,000, for the installation of a drop arm for the Benson Avenue crossing.
“This project has been budgeted for and is listed as a capital project,” stated the report.
The report also said that with respect to the time lines, work has yet to be scheduled. “The schedule will fall entirely with CN Railway, as all of the work is under their jurisdiction,” said the report.
The remaining four projects did not receive any funding and will not be completed in 2017, the report added.
Houston council accepted the report.