Transport Canada is committed to the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project. It intends to pursue and complete the project, while ensuring its success in the interests of the communities and workforce concerned.
Recent activities
Transport Canada relaunches the Comité de concertation in Lac-Mégantic
Transport Canada representatives were in Lac-Mégantic from June 25 to 27, 2024, for the relaunch of the Comité de concertation. Transport Canada met with the mayors of the municipalities of Frontenac, Lac-Mégantic and Nantes, as well as with representatives of Public Services and Supply Canada and the ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable du Québec, to discuss important elements for moving the project forward, in particular the drinking water well monitoring plan and the reforestation plan. Transport Canada also took the opportunity to meet with a number of stakeholders, including the Regional County Municipality of Granit (Granit RCM) and the Union des producteurs agricoles, to provide an update on the project and discuss possible collaboration for the next stages of the project.
Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass Project updates
Over the last year, Transport Canada has made significant progress on the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project by conducting several environmental studies, supporting the railway operator with documentation required for regulatory approval, and consulting with Indigenous communities.
Environmental Updates
Transport Canada is consulting with Indigenous communities to compile a list of wildlife and plant species of cultural value to them located within the project area. The inventory work being carried out on the railway right-of-way and on neighboring land since the winter of 2024 will be completed by the end of summer 2024.
In the spring of 2024, an inventory of wetlands in the region was completed to validate the area of wetlands affected by the project and to establish the amount to be contributed to the Fonds de protection de l'environnement et du domaine hydrique de l'État. Specialized equipment will also be installed by the end of September 2024, to measure groundwater levels in wetlands outside the right-of-way to observe potential environmental impacts over the next decade.
A bird migration inventory is being conducted this summer. This annual inventory will be carried out until construction begins to minimize the impact of tree-cutting on these bird species.
On June 25, 2024, the Laforest Nova Aqua firm presented the drinking water well monitoring plan to the mayors of Frontenac, Lac-Mégantic and Nantes. The plan involves inventorying wells near the bypass and monitoring the water quality and quantity of the wells located in the potential groundwater influence area. This will ensure citizens have water for their daily consumption until the water table has stabilized. Transport Canada is also collaborating with these three municipalities as well as the Granit RCM and other partners on a reforestation plan.
Community Engagement
Interested in contributing to the rail bypass project? If so, please contact us by phone or email with the following information on hand: company name, address, contact person, phone number, email address, and area of expertise. For more details on opportunities for local residents please visit: Job opportunities for local contractors and for persons residing near the Lac-Mégantic area.
Information
For more information on the work in progress, please visit the project's dedicated website:
Rail Bypass Route through Mégantic.
If you have any comments or questions, you can contact us by phone at 819-237-9475 between 8AM and 4PM or at TC.InfoLacMegantic.TC@tc.gc.ca. We look forward to hearing from you.
Issue No. 8 – August 2024
(PDF, 210 KB)