An Aurora councillor wants municipal staff to assess the safety of the town's rail crossings, with an eye to train whistle cessation, as work continues toward all-day, two-way GO Train service.
Councillor Ron Weese, who made a member motion during committee of the whole Sept. 3 that was supported by council, requested the report, saying residents brought up the issue “time and time again” during his municipal election campaign. For many residents living near the tracks, it is a “quality of life issue,” he said.
“Naturally people would say, ‘Well, you moved there, you knew there were going to be trains and trains have horns,’” he told AuroraToday. “But with the impending Metrolink change to tracks and 15-minute service both ways, the existing situation is going to change.”
“Some of these homes are within meters of the track, and it's a significant impact,” said Weese. “I, myself, live 100 metres away from the track, so I hear them all the time.”
Currently, the town has four level railway crossings — at Engelhard Drive, Wellington Street East, Centre Street and St. John’s Sideroad.
The issue of town whistle cessation is not a new one.
In June 2022, Aurora council voted in favour of a “detailed design and peer review of a level crossing at St. John’s along with a request to York Region to implement a 24-hour train whistle cessation” for that specific crossing.
During the Sept. 3 meeting, Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas said Metrolinx reviewed all its crossings, adding improvements have been made, with more information likely coming at the next council meeting.
Marco Ramunno, director of planning for the Town of Aurora, said he expected a report could be brought back to council before the end of the year.
“In terms of whistle cessation, this is a municipally led process and can only occur when applicable safety requirements are met at municipal/regional grade crossings,” according to a Metrolinx spokesperson. “Currently, there is no whistle cessation application on file with Metrolinx from the Town of Aurora, however, we are always happy to work with our municipal partners through the process.”
Construction chugging along
In the meantime, construction continues at the Aurora GO station as Metrolinx works to bring all-day, two-way service to the Barrie Line, beginning back last August.
The work includes constructing a second platform and installing a second track, as well as adding a new exit from the station at Berczy Street and upgrading the rail signal.
There will also be an extension of the pedestrian tunnels with elevators, as well as the installation of edge tactile tile on the existing east platform “for improved accessibility,” according to Metrolinx.
A portion of the train platform station is currently closed.
“The east platform extension will open and the north side of platform 1 will no longer be in service. It is an approximate five-minute walk from the station house to the new platform,” according to a news release.
Metrolinx did not provide a timeline of when the project will be finished.
“We are currently working on the south pedestrian tunnel and connecting elevators. This will allow customers to connect to the new west platform. Once we are closer to completing major construction on all station improvements, updates will be shared.”
Weese said Metrolinx have been “very good” about outlining the stages of the projects and providing updates when available.
Updates and information about the project are available on the Metrolinx website.
