Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass Project Moves to Next Phase
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Construction project map
Transport Canada
LAC-MÉGANTIC, Québec - The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) received an official application to move the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project to move to the assessment phase.
In a news release from the Government of Canada, it states after “extensive environmental consultations,” the rail operator and Transport Canada reached this application submission milestone. The project seeks to build a 12.5 km rail bypass that will relocate the rail line away from downtown Lac-Mégantic.
The application was filed with the CTA by the operator in accordance with section 98 of the Canada Transportation Act. According to the release, this states that “on application by the railway company, the CTA may grant approval to construct a railway line if it considers that the location of the railway line is reasonable, taking into consideration requirements for railway operations and services and the interests of the localities that will be affected by the line.” In finding a location “reasonable”, the CTA takes the nearby communities into consideration.
The application includes a well monitoring plan, consultation reports, and environmental studies and will be made available online. Bypass construction will begin after regulatory approvals, “including from the CTA.” The Government of Canada says it “maintains an open dialogue and is working with all stakeholders to complete this project” as it is “of vital importance” to those in the region. Additionally, the application includes mitigation measures that seek to minimize impact on surrounding communities and the environment.
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honorable Steven MacKinnon said, “We will remove the railroad tracks from downtown Lac-Mégantic. The bypass project is becoming increasingly concrete now that the project’s application was officially submitted to Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). All the information required to assess the project and start the public consultation process is now available to the CTA. We will be ready to go as soon as the application is approved by the CTA.”
