Canadian Transportation Agency approves Lac-Mégantic bypass construction

MONTREAL — The Canadian Transportation Agency has approved the construction of a bypass to divert trains around downtown Lac-Mégantic, Que.

Forty-seven people died there when a runaway train derailed and smashed into downtown on July 6, 2013.

The agency approval removes a hurdle that had delayed construction of the 12.5 kilometre bypass that was announced by the federal and Quebec governments in 2018.

Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon says the authorization is a major step towards building a project that will help improve the community’s safety and quality of life.