A year after a blocked culvert caused a flood in Plamondon that damaged many homes, some residents are asking Alberta Transportation for additional compensation.
The flood happened on April 11, 2011 when a culvert adjacent to Secondary Highway 858 – maintained by Alberta Transportation through contractor Carillion – became plugged, causing water from the spring melt to build up over several days then pour into the community. Several Plamondon homes were damaged by the water, including the Five Star senior’s complex – where owners have petitioned Carillion and Alberta Transportation for $10,000 to cover damages caused by the flood.
But in a letter to the owner of Five Star complex on Feb. 17, Carillion’s senior insurance coordinator stated: “Carillion still denies any liability in relation to damage sustained by you resulting from the flood,” and that “we are trying to ascertain where responsibility lies.”
Heather Kaszuba, spokesperson for Alberta Transportation, said sticks and mud were the likely cause of the blocked culvert – but said it could have also been the work of beavers. However, she wouldn’t say if Alberta Transportation was taking responsibility for the flood.
“Carillion was contractually obligated to maintain the roadway,” Kaszuba said. “And we know that they responded quickly to the situation and resolved the backup, with the help of the fire department and Lac La Biche County staff.”
She said Carillion has since added a second culvert, which she said will help ensure Plamondon isn’t flooded again. But the county’s acting CAO Barry Kolenosky said at a council meeting last week that the water that flooded Plamondon built up for several days before spilling into the hamlet.
“They didn’t do their due diligence,” Kolenosky said. “And this issue still hasn’t been resolved – these people in Plamondon have waited over a year and have got nothing back (from Alberta Transportation or Carillion).”
Lac La Biche County Council voted to send a letter to Alberta Transportation on behalf of the Plamondon residents who are looking for additional compensation from last year’s flood.
