Train whistles will continue in the Town of Ste. Anne

The CN train will continue to sound its whistle while rolling through the Town of Ste. Anne. 

Town council sent a request on behalf of some town residents to the R.M. of Ste. Anne, asking the municipality to apply to CN for a No Whistle Zone at the Seine Road Crossing. 

The request came to the RM council because it is the road authority on the railway crossing. 

Reeve Paul Saindon says the whistle is a safety measure. 

“It is a warning that they're coming through an intersection although they have cross arms and lights but there are some walkways and pathways where people have lost their lives over neglecting the train,” Saindon says. “And you know that that's why they blow the whistle. I mean that's all they can do because they can't stop.” 

The RM of Ste. Anne voted to deny the request. 

“We’re not interested in challenging CN on their safety rules and regulations,” Saindon says. “You know, the track was there before the town even came to be the town it is. Sorry, we’re not into stopping them from blowing the whistle.” 

Council for the RM of Ste. Anne passed a motion to deny the town’s request, acknowledging joint efforts between both councils to increase safety at that crossing with new safety signals and barriers that were installed in 2016.