REGINA, Sask. — As Saskatchewan recognizes Rail Safety Week from Sept. 21-27, Highways Minister Kim Gartner is reminding drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to stay alert and use caution around railway tracks and crossings.
"Railways are an important part of Saskatchewan's transportation network, connecting our communities and helping move the products our province produces to markets across Canada and around the world," Gartner said.
"Rail Safety Week is an important reminder that we all have a role to play in keeping our roads, crossings and communities safe. Whether you are driving, walking or cycling, always stay alert around railway tracks, obey posted signs and signals, and never take unnecessary risks around trains."
The Ministry of Highways continues to educate children about rail safety by funding the printing and distribution of railway safety activity books to Grade 4 students in communities served by Saskatchewan short lines. This is through a partnership with Canadian Safety Train Express Inc. The books can be downloaded in English and French at: https://canadiansafetytrain.ca/resources/.
"Rail safety is a shared responsibility, and every safe choice matters," Canadian Safety Train Express operations and programs director Amy Lintick said.
"One decision can change many lives, and the impact of one unsafe choice can reach far beyond the tracks. A railway incident can have a lasting ripple effect on families, railway employees, first responders and entire communities. Rail Safety Week reminds us that staying alert, respecting signs and signals, and staying off railway property can prevent tragedies before they happen."
The ministry's key safety reminders are:
- Stop at a safe distance from tracks and crossings, as trains are wider than the tracks.
- Look both ways to ensure trains are not approaching.
- Listen for approaching trains.
- Never stop your vehicle on the tracks or try to outrun a train.
- When walking, always cross at designated railway crossings and don't walk on or close to tracks.
The ministry's Short Line Railway Improvement Program offers funding to support short line rail operators in tracks maintenance and upgrades. The ministry also reviews short line railway safety management plans to ensure operating rules and plans are up to date and conducts safety inspections regularly.
Fourteen provincially regulated short line railways operate on 2,123 kilometres of track in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan's export-based economy is supported by short line railways as their trains move grain and other commodities from more rural locations to larger national federally-regulated rail lines of CN and CPKC operating on more than 6,000 kilometres of track in the province, the ministry says.
Rail Safety Week runs across Canada to raise awareness about the dangers of trains and tracks to reduce crossing collisions and trespassing incidents. For more information, visit: https://www.operationlifesaver.ca/initiatives/campaigns/rail-safety-week-2026/.
Citizens with questions or concerns regarding railway safety, signage, work zones and more are welcome to telephone the Highways Customer Service Centre at 1-844-SK-HIWAY (1-844-754-4929) or submit an online inquiry at www.saskatchewan.ca/highways.
