Funding Dispute Stalls $2M Culvert Fix for Flood-Prone Nova Scotia Neighborhood
A deteriorating CN Rail culvert in Lantz, N.S., contributed to severe flooding on Robert Scott Drive in July 2023. Although a 2026 study recommends enlarging the structure, a $2-million repair project remains stalled amid disagreements over funding responsibility between the municipality, the federal government, and CN Rail.
Residents of Robert Scott Drive in Lantz, Nova Scotia, continue to face significant flood risks due to a deteriorating CN Rail crossing culvert that residents say acts like a dam, trapping debris and turning their neighborhood into a pond during heavy rain. The infrastructure failure contributed to severe flooding in July 2023 that damaged several homes.
Resident Ryan Dunphy reported that concerns about the infrastructure issues were raised with the municipality as early as 2019. For some homeowners, the consequences of the 2023 flood have been devastating. Resident Chris Peters paid six figures to repair his basement following the event and fears financial ruin if another major storm strikes before repairs are completed.
A flood risk study conducted by Dillon Consulting and presented to the East Hants Council in June 2026 confirmed the rail crossing as a key component of local flood risk. The report recommended enlarging the culvert as the primary flood reduction measure, estimating the modification could drop water levels by more than three metres during severe storms.
Two months after receiving the study, the municipal council wrote to local MP Kody Blois asking the Government of Canada to cover the estimated $2-million project cost. Blois stated there is no precedent for the federal government paying the entire cost without a municipal contribution, though he offered to help find a shared solution.
East Hants deputy CAO Adam Clarkson said the council decided to wait for a response from CN Rail before meeting with the MP. Meanwhile, CN Rail spokesperson Tom Bateman stated the railway has been in talks with East Hants since 2023 but maintained the culvert was designed appropriately for railway operations and is functioning as intended.
The conflicting positions have left the mitigation project in limbo. While residents and the consulting study identify the culvert as a failing hazard requiring enlargement, CN Rail disputes this assessment. Simultaneously, political and bureaucratic delays prevent immediate implementation, as the municipality seeks full federal coverage while the local MP insists the municipality must contribute funds first.