MOTORING.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10912, 1 June 1929, Page 7

MOTORING.

LEVEL-CROSSING PROBLEM

HOW CANADA ATTACKS IT

Not only does Canada feel the necessity of attacking the level-cross-ing problem, but she is trying to attack it. However, the position is something akin to that in New Zealand ; the Treasury is prepared to contribute a certain amount, but tbo railways and municipalities must share the cost of any work in view. There- is in the Dominion Treasury a fund of 2,631,045 dollars waiting to he applied to the construction of overpasses, underpasses, protective, gates, and other safeguards. The fund has been built up by the systematic appropriation every year of 200.000 dollars by the Dominion Parliament. It is a matter of regret to the Canadian public however, that only 1.368.354 dollars has been drawn from the fund since its _ inauguration. Only 520 applications have been made to the fund. Almost as quickly as a few crossings are made safe new crossings are added to the list. Where does the fault lie? asks a writer. Why is it that full advantage Inis not been taken of the generosity of the Dominion Government '? The fault, according to the consensus of Canadian opinion, lies with the municipalities ot the countrv.

By the terms of new legislation adopted at the last Parliamentarysession, the fund may be called upon to contribute up to 40 per cent, of the cost of eliminating level crossings where the cost is "no more than 100,000 dollars. Where, the cost is more than 100,000 dollars the contributions may still go up to 40 percent., hut with a maximum contribution of 100,000 dollars. The share of the municipality, railroad, or electric railway, as well as the fund's contributions, is fixed by the Board of Raihvav Commissioners.

The legislation recognises the rule that railroad and public, tlirough the municipal fund, are equally responsible for the removal ot grade crossings. The rule, however, it# not 3 huT'd-and-fuSt one. The Railway Commissioners can take cognisance of circumstances: they can make easy the burden on a nuinciipality which is overtaxed. In many cases the municipality owns the electric line concerned, and the commissioners may apportion the cost so that locai taxpayers do not pay for the improvement through both municipal and railway accounts.

In addition, tlie Railway Commissioners may apportion the cost on the basis of the seniority of the railway or public road. If the highway existed before the railway, and is therefore senior to it, the board can. if it sees fit, order the railway to construct the underpass. It is tlio generally accepted principle that the junior at the crossing shall pay the cost. In other words, if the road is there first, the railroad must pay to cross it. If the railway is there first, the owners of the road (the municipality) must pay.