Important Notice - Community urged to avoid railroad tracks

12/06/2012

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is urging community members to avoid trespassing on railroad tracks. Specifically, several incidents of local residents walking, sitting or riding ATV’s on the tracks have been the cause of great concern.

The issue of safety is of prime concern, as every year there are numerous deaths and injuries of people hit by trains. In Kahnawà:ke, a secondary but nonetheless major concern is that the train crews are forced to blow their whistles excessively when a dangerous situation presents itself.

“We have clear, videotaped evidence of our own people who shouldn’t be on the tracks,” said Director of Community Protection Kellyann Meloche. “Even while we are in the process of working with CP (the railroad company) with the intent of having routine whistles discontinued at three of the four crossings along the New Development area, some of our own people have been the cause of crews blowing warning whistles. We have to ALL act responsibly if we are to be successful.”

The railroad is liable if it doesn’t follow accepted safe practices. In order to have the whistles stopped, the MCK is currently engaged in a safety assessment and audit that it hopes will allow whistles to be discontinued at certain crossings.  If the result is positive, the community will have to accept liability in case of certain types of accidents that occur in the areas where the whistles are discontinued. There will be an added cost to the community due to the need to purchase insurance.