November 16, 2006

Quebec, Laval fighting over bridge collapse costs

LAVAL, Que.

The province and Laval have been arguing over who pays the bills resulting from overpass collapses in the city.

Laval is still waiting to be reimbursed for $1.2 million in expenses for the du Souvenir Boulevard overpass collapse in 2000.

The issue has resurfaced now that bills have to be paid for the search for bodies, the cleanup and the extra public transit expenses generated by the Sept. 30 collapse of the de la Concorde Boulevard overpass, which killed five people.

Laval wants Quebec to reimburse $784,000 the city and its transit authority incurred after the disaster.

“The structure belongs to Transport Quebec and it was faulty, so it’s their responsibility,’’ said Jean-Claude Beaudry, a city of Laval spokesman. “They should defray the costs, not the taxpayers of Laval.’’

Transport Quebec isn’t sure.

“The structure is the responsibility of the ministry. It’s over one of our highways,’’ Transport Department spokeswoman Maria Soteriades said. “But the boulevard that goes along the top — the lighting and the paving — is the responsibility of the municipality.’’

Does that mean Laval will be expected to pay part of the bill?

“That’s the thing (Transport Quebec) has to sort out,’’ Soteriades said. “Once we have a final bill, then we’ll have to analyze everything and see who is responsible for what, under whose jurisdiction it’s falling.’’

After the 2000 collapse, Laval sent a bill for $500,000 in expenses, of which only $300,000 has been paid, Beaudry said. At the time of that accident, Quebec provincial police were involved in pressure tactics, so Laval police undertook the investigation. But the Quebec government refuses to pay the $1-million bill for that police work, Beaudry said.

The city is suing Quebec over the matter. The case is pending.

CANADIAN PRESS

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