After almost a month and a half of traffic congestion the Frank St. level rail crossing reopened this morning shortly after 8 a.m.
The only restriction is on vehicles longer than 12 metres—they are still restricted from crossing northbound from Frank St. onto Highway 16.
“The restriction is only for northbound traffic,” said Terrace's chief administrative officer Heather Avison at the regular council meeting Monday night. “The long traffic will actually be able to turn at Frank off the highway, but they can't access the highway off of Frank St.”
The city announced July 22 they had struck a deal with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to build a new integrated traffic signal similar to the one on Kenney St., and will share the $350,000 cost.
Once these new traffic lights get installed next spring the final restriction on long truck traffic crossing northbound will be lifted as well.
“Very, very good. Excellent work,” mayor David Pernarowki said, congratulating council and staff for their behind-the-scenes negotiating with government.
“I'm pleased that we were able to work with the City of Terrace so quickly,” said B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone in a joint press release.
The Frank St. rail crossing has been closed since June 11 when CN Rail responded to an order from Transport Canada to block it following two near miss incidences between trains and trucks stopped on the crossing.
Today the city will install signs along Frank St. to notify drivers about the continued restriction on long trucks.
There was some discussion during the council meeting about enforcement.
Councillor Bruce Bidgood asked if there are any special requirements about policing to make sure the remaining traffic restriction is being heeded.
“That was not a requirement from Transport Canada,” Avison responded. “They did not raise that issue in the discussion.”
Councillor James Cordeiro asked if Transport Canada might order the block again to CN if drivers disobey the new signs.
“If it does become an issue of compliance with the signage is there a possibility that it could be revoked and the section re-closed completely?” he said.
Avison responded that, “If there were another incident, yeah, they would likely reissue the order.”
Pernarowski added that spring 2014 is the most likely start date for construction of the new traffic lights, but that council will bring the matter up at a planned meeting with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure officials in the fall.
“We will certainly have some conversation about that at the UBCM convention... to see if there is any way to expedite [this process],” the mayor said.