WATERLOO REGION - Region of Waterloo officials and light rail consortium GrandLinq are tight-lipped on settlements with businesses and residents related to LRT.

"The region has the right to do the work of course, in the public good, but it has to be done in a proper manner and a diligent manner and we try to keep things as accessible as much as possible," Coun. Tom Galloway said.

The Region of Waterloo's LRT project was one of the biggest public works projects in this region history.

Construction started in late 2014 and the system was substantially complete as of June 20.

Debra Arnold, regional solicitor, said the region has received 38 notices for light rail construction-related business sales revenue losses, but couldn't comment on the amount being sought.

"The region has not paid any compensation in relation to those types of claims and I'm not in a position at this point to comment further," Arnold said.

Those claims are more subjective than claims related to construction damage so they're dealt with on a case-by-case basis depending on, "the nature of the allegations and the facts of the situation," Arnold said.

Mark Grossman from Shuh, Cline and Grossman LLP in Kitchener said the firm expected there would be more local businesses seeking compensation for lost revenue because of LRT construction.

His firm assembled a team of lawyers to help businesses that were impacted.

Grossman said he has several clients that are seeking compensation for business losses. None of the claims have been settled.

"My experience with this and other road constructions is the region doesn't easily pay out," Grossman said.

For a claim to be successful a business would have to show income before, during and after construction to prove it suffered losses, Grossman said.

"You have to produce or show that there's been a detriment as a result," he said.

Arnold said the region tries to limit impacts on businesses during construction projects.

"On all regional capital projects the region attempts to mitigate the impact on the public and affected businesses, including the need to complete projects in a timely manner with the need to maintain access to businesses and properties during construction," she said.

Construction consortium GrandLinq is responsible for claims related to vehicle damage as a result of construction but has refused to comment.

The Record contacted two top GrandLinq officials for information on business loss and vehicle damage claims related to LRT.

Michael O'Neill, general manager of GrandLinq GP, said Simon Gagne, project director with GrandLinq contractors and a top official with Kiewit, would be the person to speak with. Gagne did not respond to several messages from The Record.

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