Issue No. 15 - August 2026

A word from Transport Canada Share feedback on the Canadian Transportation Agency’s decision: https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/ruling/r-2026-117.

Recent development

Canadian Transportation Agency's decision

On July 16, 2026, the Canadian Transportation Agency issued its decision on the application for authorization to construct the project. This decision grants the required regulatory authorization and allows Transport Canada to move forward with the project. You can read the agency’s full decision on its website: https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/ruling/r-2026-117.

If you have any questions about the agency’s approval process, please email them directly: info@otc-cta.gc.ca.

A word from the Minister of Transport

Read the statement made from the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, published the agency’s decision: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2026/07/key-milestone-reached-the-ctas-decision-marks-a-key-milestone-on-the-lac-megantic-rail-bypass-project.html.

Field studies

Environmental monitoring and follow-up work is being done this summer as part of several plans for the project. The purpose of this work is to collect baseline data before construction begins to monitor the environment during the project. Key activities include:

• Groundwater and potable water well monitoring plan: resampling of drinking water wells and sampling groundwater to document water quality and, when needed, groundwater quantity.

• Wetland Monitoring Plan: vegetation inventory, filter point surveys and wetland data collection.

• Surface Water Monitoring Plan (responsibility of the railway operator): visual surveys to document the current conditions of the watercourses before the start of work.

• Study of compensation sites for fish habitat: surveying potential compensation sites and collecting field data as part of the application for authorization under the Fisheries Act.

Similar visits will take place again in fall 2026. Communications will be sent to the residents concerned before this work occurs.

Rail Safety Week 2026

From September 21 to 27, 2026, join Rail Safety Week, organized by Operation Lifesaver Canada.

This annual campaign highlights the importance of staying safe around railway tracks and grade crossings. Each day of the week will focus on a different rail safety theme.

For more information, visit: https://www.operationlifesaver.ca/initiatives/campaigns/rail-safety-week-2026/

Next steps

With the agency’s decision, the project has reached a key milestone. Over the coming months, the project will need to meet more milestones before construction can begin. These include transferring lands to the rail operator and getting regulatory approval for the Notice of Railway Work.