8 September 2006
CPR Begins Siding Construction
Crowsnest Pass Alberta - After a year of ongoing
discussions and meetings, public hearings, and even the new Rail Yards Bylaw, set in place by Council to try and stop or slow its
progress, CPR is going ahead with the siding between Blairmore and Coleman. Contractors and CPR representatives began work on Tuesday.
CPR spokesperson Ed Greenberg says work is beginning on the siding, despite the Rail Yards Bylaw which Council passed unanimously on
25 Aug 2006, because the project has met all federal and provincial standards. "We're moving forward because we feel
the bylaw passed does not apply to a federally-regulated railway, (and the siding is) on our property," said Greenberg.
The 7,490 foot siding will be located between the Crowsnest River west of Blairmore up to 88 Street in Coleman. The access to Drain
Brothers will be relocated approximately 1,000 feet to the east. Greenberg says the purpose of the siding is to ensure CPR operations
remain as effective as possible in a safe and environmentally-friendly way. "The siding is also intended to improve
train operation within the community so there is less inconvenience to motorists," Greenberg said.
According to Councillor Gary Taje, when Council found out that CPR was going to start construction, they issued a stop-work
order. However, on Monday, Councillor Taje says they received a letter from a lawyer representing CPR stating they needed to cease and
desist the stop-work order. Councillor Taje says he feels by beginning construction, CPR has shown they have no desire to
listen to what the municipality, Council, and Pass residents have to say. "They don't see the long-term affects of
their uncompromising attitude. Their arrogance is not different than... Czar Nicholas showed when he gunned down peasants and
protesters. He didn't see that it would lead to the Russian Revolution," said Councillor Taje. "(CPR's) powers aren't
entrenched in the Canadian Constitution. They're in the Canadian Transportation Act. Their powers can be taken away if they keep doing
what they're doing to the residents of the Crowsnest Pass, and they can't see that."
Councillor Taje says Council is currently in talks with a large Alberta law firm that deals primarily with issues involving
municipalities and the Municipal Government Act. "Council has decided not to back down to CPR. We're looking at ways to
fight," he said.
However, Greenberg said CPR has held numerous meetings with Council over the past year to try and come to some kind of consensus on the
siding location. "As part of our commitment to working with the local Council, we've attempted to address any issues raised by
Council - keeping in mind this project does meet provincial and federal regulations which address safety and environmental issues,"
said Greenberg.
A major concern with the siding voiced by members of Council and Pass residents was the possibility of a temporary blockage of all the
accesses to Bushtown, thereby potentially slowing rescue efforts should a situation arise.
But Greenberg says CPR never has the intention of blocking a crossing, and it only happens during what he describes as unforeseen
circumstances. Should an emergency arise, he says CPR has a protocol in place to allow the emergency vehicle through, which includes
splitting the cars on the train to make room for the vehicles to pass through. "The rule is a train cannot stand still on a
crossing for more than five minutes," said Greenberg. "(CPR) wants to sit down with local first-responders to
make sure there are processes in place."
Greenberg estimates it will take about two months to get the siding constructed and inspected, and says if all things go as planned, the
siding will be in use before the new year.
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