Issue No. 12 - September 2025

This summer, Transport Canada made a lot of progress on the rail bypass project. The application was filed by the railway operator and is now with the Canadian Transportation Agency for review.

Recent developments

Public consultation on the Environmental Effects Evaluation

From May 16 to June 30, 2025, Transport Canada invited the residents and stakeholders of Frontenac, Lac-Mégantic and Nantes to participate in an online public consultation on the Environmental Effects Evaluation. In total, 8 comments were received – 1 on the Let’s Talk Transportation website and 7 by email. Comments addressed topics like:

• the condition of municipal infrastructure during the construction
• protection of the environment and natural habitats
• mitigation measures and environmental monitoring plans
• the project’s rationale, planning, monitoring and social impact

Transport Canada would like to thank everyone who participated in this consultation. Transport Canada has shared the comments with the railway operator and response letters were sent to those who participated in the consultation.

Wetland Monitoring

During the summer of 2024, in the context of the Wetland Monitoring Plan, CIMA+ installed wellpoints in wetlands next to the future rail bypass to collect data on the initial environmental conditions. CIMA+ representatives are back in the area from September 15 to 26 2025, to download data from the wellpoints. This information will serve as a benchmark to detect any change in wetlands during the construction period and allow Transport Canada to implement corrective measures, as needed.

Concertation and Bon Voisinage Committees

The Concertation and Bon Voisinage committees met on September 17 and 18, 2025, in Lac-Mégantic. Transport Canada provided an update on progress to date and next steps, the consultation of last May and June on the Environmental Effects Evaluation and the filing of the application to the Canadian Transportation Agency.

News

Find all the information about the Canadian Transportation Agency process here

Canadian Transportation Agency application filing

The railway operator and Transport Canada recently reached a key milestone. The final application related to the construction of the railway bypass was filed with the Canadian Transportation Agency. The application includes many technical documents, reports and monitoring plans. The agency is currently analyzing the documentation for completeness.

Once their review is done and the application is deemed complete, the Agency will launch a public consultation process which will be available on the Agency’s website for a minimum of 30 business days (or longer, as determined by the Agency). The complete application will also be available on Transport Canada’s website.

An upcoming newsletter and an article in a local newspaper will give you all the information you need to participate in the consultation. Copies of the application will also be available in the 3 municipalities for in-person consultation.