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Feds approve Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project
The 12.5-kilometre route is intended to move freight trains away from downtown and improve safety, officials said.
- On Thursday, the Canadian Transportation Agency approved the long-delayed Lac-Mégantic rail bypass, clearing a major regulatory hurdle for the 12.5-kilometre project that will divert freight trains away from downtown in the Eastern Townships community about 200 kilometres east of Montreal.
- Forty-Seven people died on July 6, 2013, when a runaway crude oil train derailed and destroyed part of downtown Lac-Mégantic, prompting the city to propose the bypass, which Quebec and Canada committed to funding in 2018.
- The CTA considered the bypass location, rail operations, and concerns from local and Indigenous communities during consultations held between November and January, plus a June hydrogeological review examining groundwater impacts.
- Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the approval "brings us closer to the start of construction on a long-awaited project that will help improve the community's safety and quality of life," though construction timing remains uncertain and the agency will publish detailed reasons in August.
- The bypass will permanently divert freight trains from downtown Lac-Mégantic, affecting three municipalities—Lac-Mégantic, Frontenac, and Nantes—and fulfilling an eight-year commitment after the regulatory approval removes the final major hurdle before construction can proceed.
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Canadian Transportation Agency approves Lac-Mégantic, Que., rail bypass
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has approved the construction of a railway bypass at Lac-Mégantic Que., 13 years after the deadly rail disaster killed 47 people and left much of the downtown incinerated.
·Ottawa, Canada
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TVA Nouvelles+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Lake Mégantic: the approved bypass road project.
·Montreal, Canada
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The Lac-Mégantic rail bypass construction project has reached a new stage. The Canadian Transportation Agency said on Thursday that it had authorized it, saying that its location is “suitable” and that it will serve the regional and national economies.
·Montreal, Canada
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Total News Sources33
Leaning Left17Leaning Right3Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution61% Left
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources lean Left
61% Left
L 61%
C 28%
11%
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