This page explains the most recent changes to Canada’s Grade Crossings Regulations. It also includes information on the type of grade crossings the regulations apply to.
On this page
- What changes were made in November 2021?
- High priority grade crossings
- Other grade crossings
- Grade crossing upgrades
- Contact us
What changes were made in November 2021?
There are new compliance deadlines based on a grade crossing’s level of risk.
The most recent changes extended the compliance deadline until:
- November 28, 2022 for high-priority grade crossings, and
- November 28, 2024 for all other grade crossings
Existing private grade crossings can have a limited use warning system installed, as long as the crossing access conditions are met.
We also added definitions for “cross-product”, “high-priority grade crossing” and “storage distance”.
High-priority grade crossings
A “high-priority grade crossing” is a public grade crossing that’s used by at least 10 trains a day and with a railway design speed of 97 km/h (60 mph) or more. High priority crossings must meet the regulations by November 28, 2022.
If a crossing’s characteristics change, and is deemed to be high-priority after 2022, it will need to meet the requirements of the regulations immediately.
Other grade crossings
All other grade crossings must meet the regulations by November 28, 2024.
Grade crossing upgrades
There are 4 types of conditions where a new or existing grade crossing will not be required to meet some of the regulatory requirements.
The following types of crossings don’t have to meet the requirements in sections 19 to 96 of the regulations:
- Public grade crossings that are used by no more than 3 trains per day, the railway design speed is 17 km/h (10 mph) or less, no more than one track crosses the grade crossing, the storage distance (the shortest distance between closest rail to the crossing’s road approach and edge of the nearest intersecting road, measured along the centre line of the road) is 30 metres or more, whistling is required or allowed when railway equipment approaches the grade crossing, and the cross-product (average annual daily railway movements multiplies the average annual daily traffic) is less than 2,000.
- Private grade crossings where the railway design speed is 17 km/h (10 mph) or less, no more than two tracks cross the grade crossing, and the cross-product (average annual daily railway movements multiplies the average annual daily traffic) is less than 100.
- Private grade crossings where the railway design speed is 41 km/h (25 mph) or less for freight trains and 49 km/h (30 mph) or less for passenger trains, no more than one track crosses the grade crossing, the storage distance (the shortest distance between closest rail to the crossing’s road approach and edge of the nearest intersecting road, measured along the centre line of the road) is 30 metres or more, the cross-product (average annual daily railway movements multiplies the average annual daily traffic) is less than 100, and there’s no sidewalk.
- Public or private grade crossing where trains have stopped using this railway line.
For information on storage distance, please contact the road authority responsible for the grade crossing.
For information on who is responsible for a specific grade crossing, please refer to the grade crossings map.
Contact us
For general inquiries: Transport Canada Rail Safety
Telephone: 613-998-2985
Toll-free: 1-844-897-RAIL (1-844-897-7245)
Fax: 613-990-7767
Email: railsafety@tc.gc.ca
Transport Canada Regional Offices Contact Information:
Pacific: 604-666-0011
Prairie and Northern: 1-888-463-0521
Ontario: 416-973-9820
Quebec: 514-633-3400
Atlantic: 506-851-7040