Council has come to a much-anticipated agreement with CP Rail to create two sidewalk crossings across the railway tracks dividing east and west Niverville. The crossings will be located immediately north and south of Main Street. The cost to the town is not to exceed $80,000.

Costs for the installation of the sidewalk crossings will fall on the town and will include the extension of sidewalks from Chicken Chef and JWH Water Services on the east side, across the tracks, to connect with sidewalks on the west side. CP Rail will take the initiative to improve the vehicular crossing on Main Street.

The railway project will include concrete slabs poured on either side and in between each set of tracks which will sit level with the tracks, eliminating the current bumpy crossing for motorists and creating an ease of crossing for pedestrians and bicycles.

Eric King, Niverville’s CAO, says that CP Rail does not, by law, have to install crossing arms or other safety features until vehicular numbers or a notable concern of risk would substantiate such a move. King hopes to initiate a means to calculate vehicular and pedestrian numbers this fall as new businesses open on the west commercial corridor and the new school draws in greater traffic from the east. He hopes that such evidence will be enough to merit CP Rail’s investment in further safety features in the near future.

The completion of the current crossing plan is expected for September 1.