Railway Grade Separation Issues1

Bridge Planning Seminar 2008

"Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it."-- George Santayana

"The past is never dead. It's not even past."--William Faulkner

Railway Grade Separation Issues2

Introduction

• History is the key to successful planning and optimization of railway grade separations

• Precedence's right or wrong have enduring impacts both at individual crossings and sometimes globally

• The basic right to cross either by railway or road is protected by legislation

• The position of railways with respect to crossings in Alberta has remained constant over history i.e. maximum benefit to the railway and its operations while minimizing financial obligation

Railway Grade Separation Issues3

New Challenges• New Delivery Methods ( P3 )• Urban Ring Roads and Freeway Corridors• High Speed Rail• New Railway Initiatives ( CP – QEII corridor

protection )• No uniform approach among various proponents

( road authorities )• Short line versus National Railway process

differences• Rationalization of Competing Initiatives within

Government

Railway Grade Separation Issues4

Introduction to Presentation• Wayne Krause will deliver the balance of this

presentation– Extensive experience both within AT and outside

practice in bridge planning and agreements for railway grade separations

– Key contributor and author for current AT “Railway Grade Separation Approval Procedure Manual”

– Will provide an overview of the process of dealing with railways and an overview of the associated bridge planning requirements