The opportunity to repair the washed-out line to Churchill before winter appears to have passed for a second straight year.

OmniTrax has started the process to find a contractor to make the repairs, but maintain that they cannot afford the cost.

Despite an order from the Canadian Transportation Agency and a push from different groups including the Manitoba NDP, the Denver-based company says they will only order the work to start if someone else is willing to foot the bill.

The Manitoba Government, along with Superior propane, has ordered a supply of fuel for the winter to arrive by sea, though the PC administration continues to say that finding a solution is the responsibility of Ottawa.