City billed $130k for new CN Railway crossing

The City of Prince George could be on the hook for $118,000 to $130,250 for an updated CN railway crossing near West Otway Road.

CN plans to put in upgrades to the warning system at the Otway crossing — including flashing lights, bells, gates, and a constant warning time device.

However, the plan did not sit well with Mayor and Council, who were concerned about the lack of consultation from CN regarding the project.

Councillor Cori Ramsay put a motion on the floor to bring the issue to the Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

“I think we could potentially see more improvements required in the future and the ability for them to impact our budget is kind of unfair, quite frankly,” she said during the meeting.

“To be in the month of March and already having to pull $130,000 from contingency is a big deal,” Ramsay explained.

Rail safety is a topic of concern at the North Central Local Government Association too, she adds, because of increased rail traffic between Prince Rupert and Prince George.

In 2019, the same system was installed at both the east Otway Road crossing and the Wilson Park access crossing as part on CN’s rail line twinning project.

The new project is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

CN Rail was approved for a grant covering half of the total project cost — estimated to be in the range of $472,000 to $529,000.

With the federal funding approved, the City’s estimated contribution will be $118,000 to $132,250.

“This is hugely important, I just completely disagree that we should be paying for 50 percent of this, also at the whim of a for-profit organization,” said Councillor Kyle Sampson.

As it is not a city asset, the costs are not capitalized and instead become an operating expense.

The cost of maintaining the crossing warning system shall be paid 50 percent by the Road Authority and 50 percent by the Railway.

The City currently pays $296 monthly for the existing crossing warning system, and will pay $326 monthly for the new crossing warning system.

Points were also raised surrounding ambulance, fire, and other emergency service access to the area.

“It would give warning, but if there is a huge train on the track it doesn’t change the fact that those vehicles can’t get across,” said Councillor Murry Krause.