3 March 2006
CPR Seeks Input from Municipality
Crowsnest Pass - CP Rail recently sent a letter to the municipality asking council to provide input
on the best place to construct a new 8,500-foot siding, preferably by the end of February.
While the letter stated "other options, or variations, may also be viable" three main options were presented:
- With Option 1, the new siding is proposed to be located near the east end of the practical construction limits, with the west
end of the siding located approximately mid-way between 88 St. and 81 St.;
- With Option 2, the new siding is proposed to be located somewhat further west than Option 1, with the west end of the siding
immediately east of 81 St.;
- With Option 3, the new siding is proposed to be located at the west end of the practical construction limits, with the east end
of the siding just east of 88 St.
This option is essentially an eastward expansion of the existing siding. It has the least cost of construction of the three options
reviewed. A future public crossing at 77 St. would be problematic if this option were to proceed.
"CPR invites the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass to provide input with regard to which of the above siding options is to be
considered, including specific details of the siding location, impact to public and private crossings, and possible mitigation
measures", the letter said. "CPR would prefer to work with the Municipality in this regard, even though it may not be under
formal obligation to do so".
At the municipal council meeting on 21 Feb 2006, Councillor Dean Ward said he opposes a secondary track here, but the
municipality is powerless to stop its construction.
Councillor Nestor Chorney said he'd cooled down after the first meeting with CPR representatives. "I realized you can't argue with
God", he noted. His idea of a good concession would be getting CPR's help to construct a pathway from the senior's lodge to
Blairmore. "If we can't beat'em maybe we should join them and get the most out of them", he added.
Councillor Jiri Stolarik supported asking CPR for support in constructing a Blairmore to Coleman pathway. Council made no decision on
which option to support at their meeting.
CPR also stated they intend to build a new railway bridge over the Crowsnest River at the west end of Blairmore sometime this
year.
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