City of Kamloops, CP reach deal on downtown crossings

Dec 4, 2015 | 9:18 AM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops and CP have come to an agreement on the contentious downtown crossings in Kamloops.

“CP will stop their east-bound trains west of Second Avenue, so there will be no trains blocking the tracks,” says the city’s Chief Administrative Officer David Trawin. “That means nobody will be climbing through the trains, which was one of the concerns of Transport Canada.”


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As part of the agreement, Transport Canada’s order to have four flaggers patrol the Third Avenue crossing 24 hours a day has been rescinded. It was costing the city about $1,000 a day to hire two of the flaggers. But Trawin says it comes with conditions for the city as well. 

 

“The city will put up second train signs, warning people of that intersection. We’re undertaking an assessment of the crossing, whether it meets standards,” notes Trawin. 

Tonight, before and after the Blazers game, the city will have an official at the Third Avenue crossing to assess how the crowds move around, says Trawin. Recommendations will then be made to the city on potential crowd control in the area. 

“CP would still like to have the crossing closed. You could say that about every crossing in Canada,” says Trawin. “They do have to slow down when they come through Kamloops, and that’s a money factor for them. But I think both of us just want the crossing safe.”