The Lac-Mégantic rail bypass construction project is vast and includes many steps divided into three main phases:
- pre-construction
- construction
- post-construction
On this page
Timeline
The main steps of the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass construction project
Text description
Title:
The main steps of the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass construction project
Main Timeline Text:
Pre-construction
- Geotechnical work
- Consultation – Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement
- Consultation – Commission de protection du territoire agricole
- Public consultations on the project
- Land acquisition
- Construction Contribution Agreement
- Contribution Agreement – City of Lac-Mégantic
- Approval – Canadian Transportation Agency
- Transfer of lands
Construction
- Construction of the bypass (5 years)
- Monitoring of mitigation measuresFootnote *
Post-construction
- Commissioning
- Dismantling of the old track and enhancement of the site (duration 2 years)
- Monitoring of mitigation measuresFootnote *
Secondary Timeline Text:
Ongoing engagement with municipalities, the public and Indigenous Peoples.
Legend:
- Black = Completed steps (pre-construction)
- Green = Current and upcoming stages (pre-construction)
- Blue = Construction
- Purple = Post-construction
Legend and definitions:
- Pre-construction: This section of the timeline describes the main steps that must be completed before construction begins. It also includes the entire planning of the project planning.
- Construction: This section of the timeline shows when construction will begin.
- Post-construction: This section of the timeline shows the work that will follow once the bypass is constructed.
Pre-construction
A lot of work must occur before construction begins on the bypass, including:
- determining the route;
- acquiring necessary land; and
- understanding and deciding how to mitigate environmental impacts.
Completed project milestones
Geotechnical work
In the fall of 2018, Transport Canada launched several geotechnical studies as part of the bypass project's feasibility study. This work helped Transport Canada collect the information needed to develop construction plans and specifications.
Several geotechnical surveys, including field surveys by consultants, were conducted on the identified land for the future rail bypass. This work gave precise information about affected properties and assessed the financial value of wooded areas so potentially affected property owners could be compensated. Also, deforestation was done to access lots and soil characteristics were analyzed.
The studies revealed that the Government of Canada would need to acquire up to 84 lots owned by 44 owners, mostly located in Frontenac, Lac-Mégantic and Nantes. Fair financial compensation was offered to affected landowners.
Transport Canada held information sessions to share details about the land acquisition process and answer questions from property owners. These sessions allowed for clear communication with the communities to ensure they understood all of the work and steps related to the rail bypass project.
Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE) consultations
The BAPE consultations on the project happened in 2 phases.
In 2017, the BAPE did the first series of public consultations, which was requested by Québec's Minister of the Environment. This first phase focused on the results of a feasibility study that the City of Lac-Mégantic did in 2016. The goal was to analyze possible routes for relocating the railway out of downtown Lac-Mégantic.
In 2019, the BAPE did a second series of public consultations based on the pre-planning study report and the environmental impact study conducted by the infrastructure consulting firm AECOM. This phase was an opportunity to review the environmental impacts of the proposed rail bypass project and gather public feedback on technical and environmental aspects.
The BAPE consultations helped to understand the issues related to the rail bypass project and gather feedback from the public and stakeholders. The consultations also influenced several of the mitigation measures planned for the project.
Final preliminary design report
In October 2020, the City of Lac-Mégantic completed the project's preliminary studies, including the requirements for public consultations.
In mid-September, AECOM submitted its final report to the City of Lac-Mégantic and to federal regulatory approval authorities. Submitting this report marked the beginning of the planning and design phase, to be carried out with the railway operator.
Consultations and report from the Commission de protection du territoire agricole du Québec (CPTAQ)
In July 2017, the City of Lac-Mégantic applied to the CPTAQ for permission to use agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes related to the project. The Commission approved the request on November 4, 2020.
Due to changes in the project plan and design, the city submitted another request to use more land on December 1, 2021. This second request was approved on November 29, 2022.
Land acquisition
In 2019, Transport Canada asked Public Services and Procurement Canada to acquire the land needed for the bypass project. The government and the landowners involved agreed to extend the negotiation period to January 2023.
In February 2023, the Government of Canada authorized the expropriation process by publishing the Notices of Intention to Expropriate in the Canada Gazette. In accordance with the Expropriation Act, the expropriation was confirmed on June 14, 2023, after 120 days.
The Government of Canada took possession of the lands on August 1, 2023, and will transfer them to the railway operator before the start of construction.
For more information on the expropriation process:
- request a copy of the Rapport de Me Julie Banville – Projet voie de contournement ferroviaire du Lac-Mégantic; or
- read the Minister's decision and statement on expropriating the land for the bypass
Transport Canada's public consultations (winter and fall 2022)
In 2022, Transport Canada held consultations on the bypass project in 2 phases.
The first public consultation occurred in January and February 2022. Its purpose was to inform the community about the project's progress and give residents of Frontenac, Lac-Mégantic and Nantes a chance to ask questions and share their concerns. Engaging citizens was key to ensuring that their feedback was considered in the project's development.
The second public consultation took place from October to November 2022 and focused on hydrology and mitigation measures. The goal was to discuss how the rail bypass could impact the environment, particularly the groundwater, wetlands, and wells. This step helped to assess and mitigate the project's environmental impacts and ensure that the right mitigation measures were in place.
Both consultations were key to the project's planning phase. These interactions helped Transport Canada maintain ongoing communication with the community, consider local perspectives and address initial mitigation measures.
Contribution agreement with the applicant
On October 6, 2023, the Government of Canada announced a contribution agreement with the railway operator. This agreement outlines the terms and principles that the rail operator will follow in implementing the project. This collaboration is key to ensure the project is effective and complies with standards.
Contribution agreement with the City of Lac-Mégantic
On October 6, 2023, the Government of Canada also announced a contribution agreement with the City of Lac-Mégantic. The agreement allows the City to complete work that is not related to the new bypass, including rebuilding and relocating municipal infrastructure currently located in the industrial park. The City of Lac-Mégantic is responsible for carrying out this work.
Current and future steps
Authorization from the Canadian Transportation Agency
Transport Canada and the railway operator are currently preparing the necessary documentation to submit the application to the Canadian Transportation Agency for the bypass project.
Once the request is submitted, the Agency will analyze it and launch a public consultation on the topic. The public will be informed of the consultation through various means.
Transferring land to the railway operator
The Government of Canada has acquired the land needed for the rail bypass. This land will be transferred to the railway operator before the construction of the railway. Once the rail bypass is complete and being used, the rail operator will transfer the old railway line that passes through downtown Lac-Mégantic to the Government of Canada for decommissioning.
Construction
Once all the regulatory approvals have been obtained, construction can start. As some key plans are still being developed, the Canadian Transportation Agency's approval process is ongoing, and Transport Canada cannot provide a construction start date.
Post-construction
Dismantling tracks
Once the rail bypass is built, the existing rail line will be dismantled. This step aims to ease some of the trauma from the 2013 accident and improve the well-being of the Lac-Mégantic community.
If necessary, the acquired lands will be decontaminated based on future use, and then transferred to the municipalities of Frontenac, Lac-Mégantic and Nantes.