Oakville, Bridge accross 16 mile creek

[Stefan Wille]

Two years ago, the bridge across the 16-mile creek in Oakville has been widened to accommodate a third rail track. Why was the bridge not widened by an additional meter to allow for a footpath across the bridge? The additional costs would not have been very high. Currently, several new high-rise buildings are going up on the east side of the creek. For the people in those buildings, it would have shortened the distance to the train station (West of the creek) considerably if such a foot bridge would be available. Unfortunately, they will now have to walk down the hill to the creek and up again other other side to the station. Regrettably, a lot of people will instead use their car (either to the station or all the way to Toronto). Does the reason for the missed opportunity lie in the failure of coordination between the various decision-making authorities (VIA, CP or CN as the owners of the tracks, GO transit, Town of Oakville)? Surely, safely is not a valid reason. It would have been easy to properly fence off the foot-path from the rail line.

[MT0603]

Metrolinx (GO Transit) owns the tracks along there. I don't know if CN maintained any responsibilities however, such as track maintenance.

[smallspy]

CN did own the tracks at the time of the expansion of the corridor. GO's purchase has only occured in the past year or so.

As for the why: the railways, as a rule, try to prevent the use of their property for things such as walking paths. The way they see it, the further away from the tracks people remain, the better. There are far too many people for whom railways are simply a nuisance, and so cutting across their property is their preferred (and shortest) path.

Dan

[cdntrainphotog]

There was no pedestrian path or bridge over the Credit River at Port Credit either. I see the tracks are fenced off from all but the most dedicated trespassers. Are there fewer trespassing and pedestrian incidents in that area now?

[ngdvd]

Do anyone seriously think that GO Transit actually cares about pedestrians? The GO system is based around parking. That's all they care about.