STORY BY KENT MATHESON, MYPARRYSOUNDNOW.COM
PARRY SOUND, ON- Some people don’t even notice them, others get blasted out of their sleep. – Train whistles.
In July 2017 Parry Sound Council instructed staff to investigate the feasibility of ending train whistles at level crossings within Parry Sound.
That investigation began in early 2018 with the hiring of an engineering services company who inspected the railway right of way through town.
It was determined that a number of costs would be incurred by the town if whistles were barred, the largest cost being around $560,000 to install fencing for 400 metres on either side of each of the 4 level crossings in town
Other costs included vegetation removal, road markings and signage.
With all the recommendations so far, there was still no guarantee of public safety and a concern would remain of possible legal issues for the town.
As a result, council voted to instruct town staff to end the investigation in possible cessation of train whistles.
However, as a follow-up Council will instruct staff to begin looking into having CN and CP do something about the other cause of noise – the screeching of rail wheels on the tracks which in some cases is constant.