An early warning train system is being piloted at the 5th Ave. railway crossing to help reduce some frustration for motorists.

The Town of Cochrane is installing new train notification signals on this busy downtown artery that should be up and operational by mid-August.

Before a train reaches the crossing, a blue light will flash to alert motorists in advance that the intersection is closing soon for a train. The light will be visible in all directions for several blocks so as to give drivers the opportunity to safely choose an alternate route.

The warning time isn’t standard, explains Laurie Drukier, the town's senior communications advisor. it depends on how quickly the train is travelling and when the signal preemption is activated

This system is used successfully in other jurisdictions and has been found to enhance road safety by reducing driver frustration and illegal activities such as U-turns and speeding through intersections. It will also help emergency response vehicles avoid crossings before they close.

The pilot program will be assessed to measure the impact on local traffic flow. 

Mayor Jeff Genung believes it's a step in the right direction.

"Rick (Deans) and his team have gone back to looked at this as an opportunity and I think it's just one small way we can notify people a little more in advance of when those trains are coming."

He sees the potential of taking it a step further in the future by adding further signage elsewhere, like Hwy. 1A.

The cost of this pilot project Is $8,143 and is included in the town's 2018 budget.

"It's a small amount of money but hopefully give motorists a little bit of a heads up. Maybe it will help unplug some of the downtown."

Still, the CP tracks continue to be a major obstacle to travelling north and south through Cochrane because there is only one grade-separated crossing.

Genung says he had promising preliminary discussions with CP official on the issue recently and that follows in the footsteps of a more cooperative relationship between the town and the corporation.

"It was quite educational for myself in learning that they have a vested interest in us having grade-separated crossings. As well as an opportunity for our community, they would have a real interest in having no maintenance on crossings and no interaction with people trying to cross the tracks as pedestrians."

Discussions are ongoing but it's a ray of light for a town who won't be in the position to invest in a grade-separated crossing on Centre Ave. for several years. 

"It's something we are saving for and it will take us a great deal of time to raise $30-some million for a grade-separated crossing, It's a game changer if we have federal and provincial funding to help and maybe CP themselves would potentially kick in."