METRO VANCOUVER -- Train whistles are on the verge of being silenced at residential crossings in New Westminster and North Vancouver City, but may start up again along the White Rock waterfront.

New Westminster announced Friday it has signed an agreement with Southern Railway of British Columbia and Port Metro Vancouver to explore ways to eliminate train whistles at various crossings. Both the city and SRBC have pledged to contribute $1 million to the plan.

“It’s good news for residents along the Southern Railway corridor,” Mayor Wayne Wright said in a statement.

Local governments don’t have the authority to unilaterally pass bylaws restricting train whistles, as trains are regulated by Transport Canada. But they may be allowed to eliminate whistling at crossings if they make the crossings safer with controlled gates, bells, flashing lights or fencing.

Langley Township, for instance, has silenced whistles at two busy Fort Langley railway crossings since 1987 after upgrading the crossings with gates, bells and flashing lights.

North Vancouver City is also working with Port Metro and Canadian National to put crossing arms at three uncontrolled intersections near Lonsdale, Mayor Darrell Mussatto said, and is trying to keep paths and trails from crossing the tracks.

Meanwhile, White Rock and BNSF Railway are reviewing their whistle-blowing policy, which restricts the use of train whistles between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Transport Canada ordered the review after a jogger was killed by an Amtrak train last July.

ksinoski@vancouversun.com

with file from Bruce Constantineau