The Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass Project continues to move forward
LAC-MÉGANTIC, QC, Oct. 6, 2023 /CNW/ - Since the tragedy of 2013, our thoughts continue to be with the victims and residents of Lac-Mégantic and the surrounding area. The three orders of government are working together to ensure that trains leave downtown Lac-Mégantic for good.
Today, the Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant, Pablo Rodriguez, announced progress on the Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass project, including the signing of two essential agreements to launch the first calls for tender. He made the announcement during his first official visit to Lac-Mégantic as Minister of Transport.
A contribution agreement was signed between the federal government and the City of Lac-Mégantic. This will allow the city to carry out preparatory work for the construction of the bypass, which includes the reconstruction of city-owned municipal infrastructure and its relocation to the industrial park. The City of Lac-Mégantic will oversee planning and implementation of the work.
The Government of Canada also signed a contribution agreement with Central Maine & Quebec Railway Inc. (CMQR), a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), for the construction of the bypass project. The agreement outlines the terms and fundamental principles under which the railway operator will carry out the project. It will also enable the launch of the tendering process to contract a firm to carry out the work.
During his visit, the Minister also met with the mayors of Frontenac and Nantes municipalities, as well as the mayor of the City of Lac-Mégantic, to discuss the importance of the project for the residents of the region.
"My heart goes out to the citizens of Lac-Mégantic. I strongly believe in the importance of the bypass project. This is a project like no other and trains must leave downtown. As the new Minister of Transport, I am committed to doing everything possible to achieve this goal as soon as possible."
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant
"Construction of the bypass must be completed as quickly as possible. As soon as I became a Member of the National Assembly, I worked to bring rail service to the Lac-Mégantic industrial park, and I will continue to defend the interests of the people of Lac-Mégantic. I welcome this important milestone in the project's realization."
François Jacques
Member of the National Assembly for Mégantic
"Lac-Mégantic was affected by the worst rail tragedy in the country. Every day, we continue to hear and see the train running in our downtown core, and it has to stop. Having obtained the necessary authorizations and commitments to proceed last week, we can confirm that on Wednesday we launched the call for tender that will allow us to begin preparatory work on our municipal infrastructures in the industrial park. This is a concrete step towards the realization of a project that has been 10 years in the making."
Julie Morin
Mayor of Lac-Mégantic
- In May 2021, the Government of Canada signed a contribution agreement for the pre-construction phase of the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass with CMQR for the preparation of plans and specifications for the project, as well as geotechnical work or studies on quality of the soil, water, fish habitat and ambient noise levels, among other things.
- Total project costs will be adjusted once the tendering processes have been completed. Total costs will take into account, among other things, the recent finalization of plans and specifications, recent engineering work, and will be adjusted in accordance with increased costs of materials and labour, procurement issues and adjustments to environmental mitigation measures and other factors.
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SOURCE Transport Canada - Ottawa
Contacts: Laura Scaffidi, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, [email protected]; Media Relations: Transport Canada, Ottawa, [email protected], 613-993-0055
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