Nathalie Sturgeon

The federal government is putting $20 million into&nbsp;rail safety improvements&nbsp;— but New Brunswick won't be seeing any of it.

The announcement comes after the death of Steven Harel, a&nbsp;Moncton man who was struck by a CN train in July of 2016 while crossing the railway tracks in downtown Moncton,&nbsp;in his&nbsp;electric wheelchair.&nbsp;

As a result, the Transportation Safety Board made several recommendations to Transport Canada following the death of the 29-year-old.

Transport Canada urged to upgrade Moncton rail crossing — quickly

While Transport Canada has agreed a railway crossing in Moncton needs to be improved for anyone using assistive devices, the Transportation Safety Board is asking its fellow federal agency to make those improvements happen a little more quickly.

Many say despite work by CN since the accident, the Robinson Street crossing remains dangerous for people with reduced mobility.

Harel

Safety board urges improvements to railway crossings after fatal accident

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says more needs to be done for the safety of people with reduced mobility, who continue to face risks when using railway crossings across the country.

The investigation into Harel's death revealed CN had done work to the Robinson street crossing one month before the accident.

railway crossing 

Diane and Yvon Harel lost their son Steven in July 2016, when his wheelchair became stuck at a railway crossing in downtown Moncton and he was struck by a freight train.

Mother of man killed by train calls government response slow, inadequate

The federal government says it has taken steps to making level crossings safer across the country, in response to the Transportation Safety Board investigation of the death of Moncton's 29-year-old Steven Harel.

Diane Harel said she's disappointed how slowly things are moving to improve safety at railway crossings after her son's death.

Diane Harel

Diane Harel said she's disappointed by how slowly things are moving to improve safety at railway crossings after her son's death.

On Wednesday, Transport Canada announced 103&nbsp;infrastructure improvement projects&nbsp;across Canada this year, which&nbsp;will include improved lighting, upgraded rail crossing signals, pedestrian overpasses, public education&nbsp;and research into new safety technologies.&nbsp;

Steven Harel, 29, died on July 27, 2016 after his wheelchair got stuck at a level crossing in downtown Moncton.

Steven Harel

About $400,000 will&nbsp;go to the Canadian Owner-Operators' Cooperative to reduce the&nbsp;number of deaths from collisions between commercial vehicles and trains.

Another $200,000 will go to VIA Rail Canada Inc., for a suicide prevention program on the VIA Rail network&nbsp;with a focus on high-risk and high-incident areas.

"Transport Canada shares the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's commitment to advancing the safety of Canada's transportation system and is committed to working with stakeholders to further enhance the safety of Canada's railway system," the government agency said in an email.

When CBC News asked for an interview with Transport Canada, the government agency declined.&nbsp;

Harel's parents, Diane and Yvon&nbsp;Harel, filed a lawsuit against CN Rail, the City of Moncton, Invacare Canada and Embracor Medical.

The lawsuit claims Harel's wheelchair became stuck at&nbsp;the railway crossing and&nbsp;that he waited an "excruciatingly long time" before the train struck and&nbsp;killed him.

It goes on to say that CN and the City of Moncton were negligent by failing to properly inspect, maintain and repair the railway crossing and street for safe use of wheelchairs.

Despite Wednesday's announcement,&nbsp;the Harels are still suing.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victim who died in this tragic accident," Transport Canada said in an&nbsp;email.

Transport Canada announced $20 million in funding for railway safety but none of that money will be spent in New Brunswick. 

Feds give $20M to improve rail safety, but N.B. won't see any of it

The lawsuit

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