Fix this unsafe rail crossing, Dorchester residents and politicians tell CN Rail

The Canadian National (CN) Railway must fix a railway crossing that's falling apart before someone gets hurt, local politicians and those who drive on Shaw Road just east of London say. 

CN is not following up on its mandated duties to repair the falling-apart crossing, making the Shaw Road crossing in Dorchester a major safety concern as drivers slow down to avoid getting flat tires or vehicle damage, said Thames Centre Coun. Tom Heeman. 

"The crossing is in a bad condition and it's impeding traffic. People have to slow down to a snail's pace just so they're not hurting their back or hurting their vehicle," he said.

"[During rush hour] it gets backed up by about three to four car links so people have to go to the shoulder of the road, and it's been very difficult to get information about a timeline from CN as to when this problem will be fixed."

The crossing was first revamped in 2020 and had patch work done to repair potholes along the rail lines in September — which deteriorated within the same month. Following months of public outcry, it wasn't until last week that crews came to fix it, but a worker later told Heeman the mend won't last longer than three weeks, he said.

According to CN's Standard Practice Circular (SPC) 2700, which sets engineering standards for industrial tracks, crossings must be inspected by a qualified track inspector twice a week, and once a month by a track supervisor. 

"We know [the repairs] are not going to last and we want to make sure that we get the prompt and speedy response that we're entitled to as a community and under the regulations that CN has to abide by," Heeman said.

The railway company has construction plans for 2024 that include a full rehabilitation of the Shaw Road crossing, said CN spokesperson Ashley Michnowski, adding that crews will finalize the project's schedule before this year's construction season begins in the spring. 

"Crews will adjust the timing as required to accommodate local weather conditions and other projects in the region," Michnowski wrote in an email.

Crossing in 'despicable condition': retired CN employee

Jim Crane is a retired railroad track supervisor who used to work for CN and regularly checks the tracks when travelling to his farm located near the crossing in Dorchester. It needs a total rebuild, he said. 

"The crossing has been in despicable condition. Two snow plows have blown out their tires this winter and in the past, trailers have gotten stuck on the tracks. Trains go over 100 kilometres so if you get stuck in there, you don't have any time to get out of the way," he said. 

"Drainage is a real problem here. There's mud all over the ties so the whole crossing is unstable and that makes the crossing break up and crack, and the asphalt don't stay in place so you've got a mess here." 

School bus driver Jean-Guy Bourret drives over the Shaw Road tracks twice a day for his job. With up to 24 high school students crammed in his bus, Bourret has to ensure he goes really slow for their safety, he said. 

"I have to slow down to a crawl. If I go any faster than this the students are bouncing against each other in the bus and that's not right, it can cause injury," he said. 

The township and its residents will continue advocating so that CN prioritizes the issue and permanently resolves it, Heeman said.