During Monday's meeting of Weyburn City Council, the City of Weyburn's Engineering Director Renee Cugnet announced the permanent closure for the Queen Street rail crossing between Highway 39 and Regina Avenue will be made effective May 5th, 2025.
"Anytime we change a roadway, it's going to impact our driving patterns and our habits and the way that we move about the city," shared Mayor Jeff Richards, who said there are two reasons for this closure.
"First and foremost, safety. Transport Canada has identified that as a very unsafe crossing. We've seen the history of collisions there."
The longstanding safety concerns include multiple vehicle-train collisions, with 10 incidents reported since 2010, the most recent occurring on November 6th, 2024, at the Queen Street crossing.
"Secondly, also it allows the widening of that piece of road, then, for the implementation of the roundabout that the Department of Highways are installing this year, so Council struggled with this for a long time, but it was, at the end of the day, I think was the right decision to make."
The City of Weyburn has been working in collaboration with the Ministry of Highways and CPKC Rail on the closure, a decision that aligns with Transport Canada's safety standards and facilitates the upcoming construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Highways 13 and 39.
The closure will permanently eliminate northbound access to Queen Street from Highway 39. Access to Queen Street will now be exclusively available from Highway 13. Additionally, southbound traffic on Queen Street will be restricted at Regina Avenue, terminating near the A&B Concrete property.
"This closure was not taken lightly, but it was required by both federal and provincial transportation safety authorities due to ongoing safety concerns at the Queen Street crossing," said Renee Cugnet.
“We recognize this change impacts nearby businesses, residents, and drivers who use this route daily, and we appreciate their patience and understanding. Our focus remains on ensuring the safety of all road users and preparing our infrastructure for future improvements at Highways 13 and 39."
“Council gave this decision a great deal of thought, knowing how much Queen Street has meant to our community,” said Mayor Jeff Richards. “But ultimately, safety had to come first. We appreciate the understanding and flexibility of our community as we make changes that will strengthen Weyburn’s transportation system for years to come.”
The Ministry of Highways will oversee the construction services and coordinate with CPKC Rail for the portion of Queen Street within the Highway 39 right-of-way. The City of Weyburn will manage the closure from Highway 39 to Regina Avenue.
Motorists are advised to follow posted detour signs and plan their routes accordingly. The City of Weyburn appreciates the community's understanding and cooperation as these essential safety improvements are
implemented.