Town may close Little St. crossing

Ken Johnston
Editor

The Town of Rainy River is looking at options that could involve closing the Little Street Railway crossing.
The Town will hold a public meeting Monday evening at which they are accepting written submissions on two options for crossings.
In the information package they gave out to anyone interested they said Canadian National Railway approached the town regarding the upgrading of crossings at Little Street and Government Road.
The first option would see both crossings remain open but with crossing arms added to both. The signal estimate for Government Road is $250,500. Transport Canada would kick in $200,400, CNR $18,787.50, Town of RR $31,312.50 plus have to pay $3,000 annually for maintenance.
Costs for keeping Little St. open would be about $254,700 with Transport Canada contributing $201,360, CNR $18,877.50, Town of RR $31,462.50 plus the annual $3,000 maint. fee.
The second option would see Little St. crossing closed. Costs would be approx. $250,500 of which Transport Canada would contribute $200,400, CNR $50,100, Town of RR nothing but would have to pay the $3,000 annual maintenance fee.
The second option would save the town $62,775 and Councillor Gerry Marchuk said with the crossing arms in place council could look at getting the train whistles eliminated in town; an issue that has been a sore spot with some residents for years.