A note in the Sentinel adds: "Not known here who has the contract." But it was soon known that Andrew Onderdonk had secured it. Certainly, by April 13, 1882, the Sentinel reported that work had begun on the new contract near Emory:
Onderdonk purchased an advertisement in the April 13, 1882, issue of the Sentinel, calling for sealed tenders to provide 232,000 ties. By April 20, camps were forming "at different points along the line between Emory and Port Moody." As usual, preparing the right of way was the first work to be done.
ontract No. 92 began at Emory and brought the rails to tidewater at Port Moody on Burrard Inlet. Tenders were called in 1881. A notice calling for tenders appears in The Inland Sentinel on November 24, 1881. On February 23, 1882, the Sentinel quoted a news item in the Toronto Globe whose reporter had examined the plans for this contract and describes some of the more notable features:
All the plans and specifications in connection with the Canada Pacific Railway from Emory's Bar to Port Moody are now completed and ready for inspection. There are in all 43 plans, 16 of which are special, the remaining 27 being general and applying to a number of structures. There is in this section some exceedingly heavy bridges, the principal of which are those over the Stave River, 80 feet wide and 33 feet deep in mid-channel, and over the Hatzic River, 1,300 in width and 10 feet deep; Harrison River, 900 feet wide and 37 feet deep. The crossings of the Harrison and Stave Rivers will consist of swing bridges, giving a clear span each of 51 feet. In addition, in the construction of the solid portions of these bridges, the completion of line of railway between Harrison River and Emory's Bar adjoining Onderdonk's contract will also necessitate the construction of a heavy description of bridging across numerous rocky ravines along the line ranging from 50 to 90 feet. On this section there are numerous rock cuttings including tunnels, seven in number, which aggregate a total length of 2,150 feet. The timber growing along the lower portion of the line, i.e. the district near the coast, is described as of an excessively heavy description, thickly interspersed with dense undergrowth. Many of the trees attain a size of nine feet in diameter.
A force of Messrs. Onderdonk & Co's men commences today to cut out the right of way upon this end of the new contract, convenient to Emory. A busy time will be had in that vicinity for some time to come, at least. We purpose soon visiting the scene of action and report further.
