Cochrane’s new Horse Creek Road pedestrian rail crossing opened today with a ribbon cutting and official first crossing.
Building the crossing was a collaboration between the Town of Cochrane and CP Rail to connect neighbourhoods on the west side of Cochrane.
Mayor Jeff Genung says the partnership with CP Rail is an important part of the Town’s history as well as the future. “Cochrane’s ties with CP Rail are deep and enduring,” he says. “While the train no longer stops here, we are hoping it will again one day – maybe as part of new rail line between Calgary and Banff. In the meantime, this partnership between CP Rail and the Town of Cochrane resulted in this important pedestrian crossing becoming a reality.”
The Town ran a short contest inviting families from bordering neighbourhoods to be the first to legally use the new crossing. The winners were the Garrison-Al-Yafi family — Blaine, Lama and Noah from West Terrace/West Pointe; Martin, Kelsey, Sophia, Archer and Harrison Medynski from Heritage Hills; and Leanne Doppler and Ruffy from Heartland.
The Mayor was joined for the opening ceremony by Jeremy Berry, CP Rail Assistant Vice-President Communications and Media Relations and Lesli Tomlin, CP Rail Director Communications as well as Town Councillors and contest winners.
CP Rail notified the Town that work was being completed this week to make the crossing safe and operational. Residents are reminded to obey signals and stay clear of the railway right of way except when crossing.