The Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass: Progress Update
The Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project is moving forward as it enters the assessment phase, as announced by the federal government. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon revealed that the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has received the rail operator’s formal request, marking a significant step forward for the project.
The project application includes comprehensive environmental studies, consultation reports, and a well monitoring plan, according to a press release from Transport Canada. MacKinnon emphasized the importance of relocating the railway from downtown Lac-Mégantic, stating that the bypass project is gaining momentum with the official filing of the project application with the CTA.
Construction of the 12.5-kilometer bypass will commence once all necessary regulatory approvals, including those from the CTA, are secured. The bypass route, chosen in 2018, aims to remove the railway right-of-way from downtown Lac-Mégantic and minimize the proximity of buildings to the railway, as outlined by the federal government.
The Lac-Mégantic bypass project holds significance following the tragic rail accident in 2013, where a train derailment resulted in the loss of 47 lives and extensive damage to the town. The completion of the bypass will entail the dismantling of the existing railway line, potential land decontamination, and transfer to the municipalities of Frontenac, Lac-Mégantic, and Nantes.
Keyphrase: Lac-Mégantic rail bypass
