I am a concerned resident in Heartland Cochrane. I moved here in 2013.
The Horse Creek rail crossing has been a topic of conversation and concern since then. We have been told by both APEX Builder's Group, Excel Homes and the town of Cochrane that this crossing is on the list of priorities for our area.
In 2013 it was understood that this crossing wouldn’t be done in the near future, but conversations were beginning with Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). After a few years of meetings, CP had agreed to the crossing. Since then it has been delayed multiple times.
The community has grown exponentially and with the newly announced twinning of the Highway 1A this crossing is even more of a priority for the residents of Heartland. Cochrane promotes itself as a beacon of outdoor life and has built wonderful playgrounds, walking paths and parks. Currently, if the community wants to utilize these things they either have to drive there or risk their safety either illegally crossing the tracks or walking along a highway with no shoulders or sidewalks that has 80 km/h traffic.
This crossing is more than just a convenience for the community of heartland it has become an essential item that has been put on the non priority list multiple times. I am starting to worry about the safety of the residents if this isn’t completed in the near future.
Thanks for taking the time to read my concerns
- Nichole Holden
