(Cochrane, AB) - During Rail Safety Week, September 21–27, the Town of Cochrane is reminding residents to cross railway tracks only at designated crossings and to avoid using informal routes through the railway corridor.
Cochrane’s active railway corridor runs through areas where people live, work, learn and travel every day. The Town continues to receive reports of pedestrians crossing Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway tracks outside designated crossings, including along informal routes that may appear convenient or well-used.
“Keeping people safe around the railway is a shared responsibility,” said Jay Judin, Director, Community Safety. “Using designated crossings, following signs and signals and staying alert are important choices that help reduce risk for everyone moving through our community.”
Trains can approach quickly and require significant distance to stop. Walking along railway tracks, entering the railway right-of-way or crossing between designated locations can put pedestrians and train crews at risk.
During Rail Safety Week, Town of Cochrane Municipal Enforcement and CPKC will work together along the railway corridor to provide education, reinforce safe crossing behaviour and discourage unsafe use of the railway right-of-way.
Residents are reminded to:
- Cross railway tracks only at designated crossings
- Follow all signs, signals, gates and crossing controls
- Stay alert and be prepared to stop
- Never walk along railway tracks or within the railway right-of-way
- Never use the railway corridor as a shortcut
For more information and resources on staying safe around railway tracks and crossings, visit CPKC’s Rail Safety page.
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