Hay River (Feb 07/05) - First steps have been taken that may eventually see lights and bells installed at several of Hay River's more dangerous railway crossings.

Officials from Transport Canada inspected the town's railway crossings last week and identified three that may qualify for federal funding for safety upgrades. "That would just be lights and bells," said Coun. Peter Maher, the chair of the town's traffic committee. "There would be no gates."

The three crossings are near Wright's Home Hardware, the Rooster convenience store and the boat launch.

Maher says they were picked because they are the busiest crossings in town. The crossing near the hardware store has the highest rate of accidents.

Since October 2001, there have been four collisions between trains and vehicles crossing the tracks which run through Hay River. The most serious injury was a broken pelvis suffered by an ATV rider.

The RCMP are pleased warning signals are being considered for the three crossings.

"That's a very much welcomed development," said Cpl. Jim Forsey.

He said there is too much "driver apathy" while crossing railway tracks in town.

Since there are relatively few trains using the line, some drivers cross the tracks without using proper caution, he said.

All the town's crossings - 12 public and six private - are currently marked only by signs.

Maher says Transport Canada will prepare a written report on its inspections and the town can then make an application for funding.

There is no estimate of how much the work would cost, he said, but notes Ottawa would provide up to 80 per cent of the funding.

Mackenzie Northern Railway, which operates the line, will also be doing railway safety programming in Hay River schools.