By Marcia Love
Rebuilding and recovering after the flood is proving to be a very costly endeavour in the Maple Creek area.
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, Canadian Pacific Railway and SGI have all reported great expenses incurred in the weeks following the flood on June 18.
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure estimates it will incur a total cost between $6.2 million and $11.6 million for all repairs to highways and bridges around Maple Creek.
Repairs to the Trans-Canada Highway washed out at Eagle Valley Campground are estimated to cost between $5 and $10 million.
“In terms of the cost, we’re still going to have to complete the design work on the construction of the westbound lanes and the permanent repairs on the eastbound lanes before we really know,” explained Doug Wakabayashi, director of communications for the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
Construction on Highway 271 near Fort Walsh, including repairs to the switchbacks and the building of a new bridge, cost between $800,000 and $1 million.
CPR reported a loss of $0.10 to $0.13 per share for their second quarter after rail services were interrupted  for over a week by flooding. Representatives would not provide a total amount for losses experienced from rerouting rail services and restoring portions of washed out track.
Railway services through Saskatchewan were put on a detour of about 1,000 kilometres while repairs were made to damaged tracks.
“Trains rerouted on the north line travelled up at Regina to Saskatoon and west to Wetaskiwin, Alta.... and then south down to Calgary,” said Mike Lovecchio, a spokesperson with CPR.
Rail services returned to the Maple Creek area on June 27.
SGI has processed over 240 property claims and over 40 auto claims from residents of the Maple Creek area.
“We’ve estimated about $10 million (in claims for Maple Creek), but that’s very preliminary,” explained Tony Playter, manager of media relations for SGI. “It’s mostly been (claims) for sewer back up in homes.”
He said a team of about 14 adjusters and appraisers were sent to Maple Creek to assess the damage to homes and vehicles.
SGI expects to see more claims made as the recovery process continues.
The Town of Maple Creek has not yet tabulated its expenses incurred by the flood.