Agassiz pays $20K for unexpected railway repairs

Back in the 1980s, the District of Kent agreed to pay for some Canadian Pacific maintenance costs. Today, that agreement has resulted in an unexpected $20,000 bill for the municipality. In 1980, the district agreed that it would be responsible for any maintenance costs at the Cameron Road crossing, just south of Lougheed Highway. Typically, the railway gives notice for expected upgrades so the district can plan for it in its annual budget.

This year, however, CP told the district in May that ongoing track safety inspections from Transport Canada required maintenance work—meaning the district hadn’t set aside funds in its financial plan. CP has now invoiced the district for its summer work totalling $20,264; the district will pay the railway from its existing operating budget, although if funds are low, it will also take money on a one-time basis from its operating reserves to cover the costs.