Задержка строительства пешеходного перехода в Салмон-Арм позволит городу получить грант на 80% стоимости проекта

City to make 'lemonade' out of construction delays on pedestrian railway crossing near Foreshore Trail Project delay nets big saving Delays on the construction of a new pedestrian railway crossing at the north end of the Foreshore Trail could allow the City of Salmon Arm to receive a grant that would cover 80 per cent of the project cost. While presenting on changes to the planned crossing at the Aug. 10 city council meeting, Jennifer Wilson, director of engineering and sustainability, said the situation was an opportunity “to make lemonade out of some lemons.” The city has been in discussions with CPKC since 2024 to build a safer pedestrian crossing for the railway at the north end of the Foreshore Trail. In 2025, the railway officially closed the previous pedestrian crossing citing safety concerns. “The CPKC crossing in Raven project was initiated to construct a legal, regulated, at-grade active transportation crossing over the railway at the north end of the Foreshore Trail,” Wilson said. “There's been a few updates to council over time on the status of the project. It is almost ready for construction.” She said the city is almost ready to start work on the project, but CPKC has advised staff it will not be able to complete its own work on the project this year due to an ongoing labour dispute. “The construction delay, while not ideal, would allow for the city to apply, in cooperation with CPKC, for the Transport Canada Rail Safety Improvement Program grant,” Wilson said. “The RSIP grant program currently has an intake window that's open until Sept. 4, and it's anticipated to be awarded in advance of the 2027 construction season.” The grant, if awarded to the city, would provide about $336,000, which is 80 per cent of the estimated $420,000 cost of the project. Wilson said CPKC and the city will be able to apply for the grant together to help improve the odds of being awarded the money. “CPKC suggested that that would be the preferred method to approach this grant, and in doing so, it would be more likely to be successful because both parties are showing why it's important,” she said. The city has already set aside a budget to complete the work in its 2026 budget. Wilson said any unused funds could be moved into the active transportation reserve to pay for future projects. “Boo to delays, yay to grants,” said Coun. Sylvia Lindgren. “I don't know which one I should be more focused on, but disappointing to hear that it can't get started.” Coun. Tim Lavery agreed with Lindgren, but said if the delay leads to a grant that covers 80 per cent of the project’s costs, “that boo will quickly turn into a yay in my books.” Mayor Alan Harrison said he believed the project is “high priority,” but agreed a delay that leads to a dramatic cost savings is “worth a short wait.” Council voted unanimously in favour of applying for the grant. More Salmon Arm News Salmon Arm Weather District of Sicamous Sicamous Weather Shuswap Tourism Salmon Arm Chamber of Commerce Salmon Arm Classifieds Interior Health Okanagan Regional Library