Feds order Via Rail to address 'safety' issues at 6 Ottawa railway crossings

The government has ordered VIA Rail to take swift action in addressing safety issues at six railway crossings located in an Ottawa suburb.

In a statement released late Thursday, Transport Canada said an order was issued under the Railway Safety Act to ensure the protection of pedestrians and motorists at six railway intersections in Barrhaven.

VIA Rail has been ordered to:

• Put flagmen on site around the clock at six affected crossings to provide manual crossing protection for all freight and passenger trains
• Develop a long-term plan to manage safety at the six crossings

The order addresses “an immediate threat to safety,” and restricts a railway’s operations “until certain terms and conditions are met.”

In the statement, Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said she was issuing the order to ensure that passenger and freight trains are crossing safely at the intersections.

“I am confident that VIA Rail will take swift action to resolve these issues,” Raitt said.

The order comes a day after a signal malfunctioned at a Barrhaven crossing.