LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec —Lac-Mégantic plans four days of events in July to mark the the passage of 10 years since of the train derailment and fire that killed 47 people and destroyed much of the community’s downtown, the Canadian Press reports.
Mayor Julie Morin says the city has a “duty to remember” the tragedy, and will do so July 4-8.
“As much as there are people who want us to organize commemorations, there are others who want us to move on,” Morin told the Canadian Press. “What we want to do this summer — and it’s really according to the will of the citizens — is to remember, to support each other, because it brings back all kinds of emotions to many people, and also to tell each other stories.”
Events planned include a silent march at 1:15 a.m. on July 6, the same time as the 2013 derailment and fire, in memory of those killed; a memorial mass at 11 a.m. that day; a July 5 concert of baroque music, and free concerts on July 6 and 7.
Morin said the events also aim to show the rebuilding of the city following the disaster: “I think it’s a good time, at the 10th year, to take the time to see how far we’ve come collectively, both in terms of rebuilding buildings and social reconstruction.”
One aspect of reconstruction that has not yet occurred is a planned relocation of the Canadian Pacific rail line — owned at the time of the disaster by the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic — that passes through downtown. Opposition to the bypass plan by landowners and neighboring communities means the project is far behind its original timeline. In March, opposition to land expropriation by the Canadian government triggered a process requiring a public hearing on the project [see “Letters of opposition trigger hearing …,” Trains News Wire, March 27, 2023].
Rather than build a controversial bypass route around Lac-Mégantic, the elimination of grade crossings would be the solution incorporating overpasses and/or underpasses.
Would be nice to see a picture of the same area as rebuilt instead of the same old burnt out tank cars.