Latest news with #LaneBurman
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Overnight train horns silenced at Kitchener rail crossing
People living in the Lancaster and Victoria Street area of Kitchener might find they're sleeping a bit better at night. Metrolinx has announced they're silencing the overnight train horns that have been honking since mid-April at the Lancaster and Victoria Streets rail crossing. The transportation agency says it has issued a temporary solution for the overnight hours. "Beginning [Friday], May 30, at 10:00 p.m. there will not longer be train whistles during overnight hours (between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.)," said a statement from Metrolinx. "We have re-activated three of the four multi-train warning signs at the crossing and will have a security guard during overnight hours to support at the fourth location." But Metrolinx said people will continue to hear the train whistles during daytime hours until that work is complete. Lane Burman lives near the area and said he was "happy with this result." "Even today, as I work 300m from the intersection, we have noticed a difference in volume. The real problem was the overnight horn blowing at increased decibels. Safety is safety is safety, but the volume was overkill." The train horns began making noises almost six weeks ago. Area neighbours question the work Metrolinx issued a construction notice on April 17 saying it had "temporarily disconnected the dynamic train warning signs at the railway crossing" while their freight partners, CN rail, had completed infrastructure work on a nearby property. Metrolinx added in its construction notice that people living in the area would notice an increase in train horn use, solely as a safety precaution to remind people that a train was coming. But people in the area complained as they heard the horns during all hours of the day and night. People also noted the temporary measures listed in the April 17th document had lasted six weeks, so far. Ryan Porter lives near the intersection. He told CBC K-W the horn blasts were taking a toll on his physical health, only allowing him to get four hours of sleep a night. He contacted Metrolinx with a list of questions about the work being done: "What is causing this work to be delayed past initial estimates? Who specifically (or what role / committee) within Metrolinx was the owner or decision maker that determined the most effective way to deal with the problem at hand was to simply have trains blow their horns?," asked Porter. "Why was an interim site plan not put in place during construction that did not put the well being of community members at risk? What government body, outside Metrolinx, reviewed this project scope before execution, including interim site plans? Kitchener building dept?" he asked. For area neighbours Michelle Stelter and Jennifer Laurie, they say they're looking ahead to future railway work and wonder if there will be any disruptions to people living nearby. "For me it's not just about the short term solution about construction," said Stelter. "I'm also curious to know what can be done for the long term for reducing train noise in these inner city neighbourhoods ... I imagine with more development," she said. "My hope is that we can ensure Metrolinx, the city, and the region, can make future decisions that take into consideration the quality of life of residents near the tracks," said Laurie.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Metrolinx removes graffiti on rail bridge on Weber Street in Kitchener
Metrolinx crews began cleaning up graffiti on a covered rail bridge on Weber Street in Kitchener, Ont. (Sidra Jafri/CTV News) A rail bridge in Kitchener is looking a little cleaner thanks to a fresh coat of paint. Metrolinx crews were spotted painting over graffiti at the covered bridge on Weber Street near Victoria Street Friday morning. A community advocate who lives nearby said it is in part thanks to his persistence. Lane Burman said he's been lobbying the city, Waterloo Region and Metrolinx to remove the graffiti on the bridge for a long time. 'It's just the slow gears of bureaucracy grind slowly and now two years, almost two years later, we've finally got the graffiti removed,' Burman said. 'It's a very pleasant sight to see.' Metrolinx crews covered rail bridge on Weber Street Kitchener, Ont. Metrolinx crews began cleaning up graffiti on a covered rail bridge on Weber Street in Kitchener, Ont. (Sidra Jafri/CTV News) Burman said the graffiti first showed up about eight years ago. The bridge was installed in 2013 during the widening of Weber Street. '[It's] our entrance into our downtown and our exit from our downtown. And there's graffiti all over the place. We don't want it in our neighborhood,' Burman said. Metrolinx sent out a notice saying the work would take over the course of two days and part of Weber Street would be closed. But crews wrapped up in only a few hours. A spokesperson confirmed the work is complete and added Metrolinx is only responsible for the rail bridge and not the concrete walls around or below it. There is still visible graffiti in those areas. 'I was under the impression that they were going to fix all the graffiti. I think after being on site today, I think maybe there's more emails to go out. Just understand who's going to remove the rest of the graffiti,' said Burman. Metrolinx graffiti rail bridge Weber Street Kitchener Metrolinx crews painted over graffiti on a rail bridge at Weber Street in Kitchener, Ont. (Sidra Jafri/CTV News) CTV News reached out to the Region of Waterloo to ask who is responsible for cleaning up graffiti on the concrete walls. The region said it was looking into it. Burman said he is still very happy with how helpful and responsive the region and Metrolinx has been. He encourages others to keep trying if they are in a similar situation and looking to get something fixed or changed in the city. 'You can't just complain. You have to do something about it. You have to be patient about tracking it down,' he said. Some don't mind the tagging. 'As long as it is not obscene or derogatory to someone, it's fine,' a nearby resident said. Burman said he doesn't mind graffiti in areas where it is allowed. He is also suggesting a different form of art could be included on the rail bridge in the future. 'We could add an art installation here. I think it can be beautified,' he said. Burman said he would be interested into speaking to other Kitchener residents who might have ideas for the rail bridge and surrounding areas.
