Temporary barricades the status quo at railway crossing in downtown Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – If you are one of the many people planning to attend a game at the 2016 Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship next week, brace yourself for barriers at the Third Avenue rail crossing.

Since the contentious crossing became a public safety issue, city bylaw officers patrol the tracks during large events either at Riverside Park or the Sandman Centre.

Chief Administrative Officer David Trawin says the public can expect to see officers at the tracks and RCMP directing traffic and pedestrians at the roundabout before and after the games next week.

People walking to the Sandman Centre are encouraged to use the pedestrian bridge to access Lorne Street.

Trawin says since the city and Canadian Pacific railway both faced a Transportation Canada order to improve on safety at the crossing, the two parties have mutually agreed upon using the temporary barricades during larger events.

"We did get a letter back from our consult that prepared the original report stating that what we’re doing now with the barricades is satisfactory,” Trawin says.

The city is also looking into designing potential permanent barricades, in case the crossing warrants it in the future.

The women's tournament will start March 28 and conclude April 4.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.