A report from engineering consulting firm AECOM says that the cost to repair the washed out rail line to Churchill is closer $40M than the $60M that Denver-based OmniTrax had originally quoted.

The recently released report also contains a 60 day plan to repair the line which could be completed by November should OmniTrax step up to the plate. The total cost of the repair, according to the report, is $43.5M.  

The document was prepared for Omnitrax, and identified damage at 130 locations along the 249km line, as well as more than 20 washouts.

The report was given to the Prime Minister's Office, the Manitoba government and Transport Canada and companies such as VIA Rail and Missinippi Rail, but not anyone from the Town of Churchill.

Churchill Mayor Mike Spence calls the situation frustrating, but remains optimistic that the line will be fully functional by the time winter rolls around. He added that he’s upset that he learned about the report through the media.

OmniTrax has offered a technical briefing on the report to representatives from the Town of Churchill, but Mayor Spence says that he’s not sure whether or not it’s worth it to attend.