The District of Squamish is not likely to construct or maintain a new rail crossing into the Squamish estuary, according to Gary Buxton, the general manager of community planning and infrastructure.
Buxton said this while responding to local citizen Gwen L’Hirondelle, who wants the district to create a crossing along the south dike trail in the estuary for her disabled husband.
It’s the most basic form of crossing that would be allowed by Transport Canada and the railway company, and could be installed by the district.
The trail in the Main Street area behind the Aqua building is heavily used but not accessible for people like her husband, she says. A simple gravel ramp, she adds, would improve access at a reasonable cost while maintaining the character of the area.
According to Buxton, to install a new crossing in the location won’t be a cheap or easy project.
“The current crossing is not formal or recognized by the railway company, and so would require navigating the lengthy application process through Transport Canada and the railway company,” he said. “The resulting crossing therefore would not be cheap or easy to install, even if it were approved by Transport Canada (which is not certain).”
Buxton said the district was already responsible for about 24 railway crossings of various types, none of which currently met the required standards and needed improvement.
However, he noted that a request to construct the crossing could be considered as part of a future district budget, but it won’t likely be recommended as a priority at this time.
You can get to the dyke without going across railway tracks. I know, I just did today.