Clarington committee directs up to $1.47M toward CN fencing, anti-trespass measures tied to whistle cessation at Bennett and Cobbledick crossings
Clarington’s General Government Committee voted 5–2 on Jan. 12, 2026 to direct staff to use up to $1,468,450.17 in remaining available funding for whistle-cessation implementation at CN’s Bennett Road and Cobbledick Road rail crossings. The funding direction is for the installation of fencing and additional anti-trespass countermeasures along the rail corridor, as required by CN.
The decision matters for nearby residents because the work is tied to efforts to stop train whistling at the two crossings, and it could involve new fencing and other safety measures in the corridor. The committee also set timelines for additional information to be brought to council later in January.
As part of the motion, the committee delegated authority to the Deputy CAO, Planning and Infrastructure to execute any necessary agreements with CN, or amendments to existing agreements, required to implement whistle cessation.
The committee also carried an amendment directing staff to report back before the Jan. 26, 2026 council meeting on four items: any information related to incidents that CN can report; continued negotiations with CN regarding the length of the fence; CN’s legal-liability response; and negotiations with Compass, Rice Group and Kaitlin to support the project monetarily.
The recorded vote on the main motion, as amended, was 5–2. Mayor Foster and Councillors Anderson, Rang, Traill and Woo voted in favour. Councillors Elhajjeh and Zwart voted against.
The committee heard from Daniel Salvatore, CN’s senior manager of public affairs, who participated electronically and answered questions on whistle cessation at Bennett Road and Cobbledick Road.
Karen Tremblay, president of the Wilmot Creek Homeowners’ Association, also addressed the committee. Tremblay requested clarification on changes to safety-related requirements associated with whistle cessation and said the association asked CN for information on specific incidents in the area. She cited a link from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board website that she said indicated more than 16,000 reported incidents, with seven occurring in the area under consideration.
In other business, the committee voted 7–0 to request that Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation and Metrolinx restore express GO Train service on the Lakeshore East line for Durham Region commuters, including reinstating previous express schedules and exploring enhanced peak-hour express service.