Canadian Transportation Agency approves Lac-Mégantic Rail Bypass project

July 16, 2026 – Gatineau, Quebec – Canadian Transportation Agency

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has approved the Lac-Mégantic railway bypass project.

The CTA has approved an application submitted by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPRC), on behalf of the Central Maine and Quebec Railways Canada Inc. (CMQR), for the construction of the Lac-Mégantic railway bypass under section 98 of the Canada Transportation Act.

The approval authorizes the construction of approximately 12.5 kilometres of new railway line and associated infrastructure that will reroute rail traffic away from downtown Lac-Mégantic. The CTA’s detailed reasons for the determination will be issued separately, in August.

In reaching its decision, the CTA considered the location of the proposed bypass, CPRC’s operational and service requirements, and the interests and concerns raised by local communities and Indigenous communities. The CTA concluded that the location of the bypass is reasonable and that the project will continue to serve the regional and national economy.

The CTA’s approval is subject to a set of conditions that will apply throughout the project lifecycle.

Following standard practice, the CTA will not comment on its decision.