LAC-MEGANTIC – Just days after marking the third anniversary of the deadly train explosion that destroyed the city’s downtown core killing 47, residents of Lac-Megantic gathered once again, this time to demand safer railways.
Participants at Sunday’s demonstration were asked to bring teddy bears to the event as a symbolic gesture.
“Bring your teddy bear or any soft toy to symbolically give back a feeling of safety to the 27 orphans left behind by the tragedy.”
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In a Facebook post, organizers of the rally urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to act now.
“We are asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a firm commitment to accelerate the construction of the bypass track.”
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Days after the tragedy, the idea of a track bypassing the centre of town was raised. But three years on nothing is official, according to the local citizens’ coalition for railway safety.
Although a feasibility study of the proposed bypass is underway, residents say change can’t come soon enough. The study is estimated to cost $115 million.
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The coalition says residents need to get involved, if they want the project to move forward before 2022.
“This bypass, claimed on the days after the tragedy, is still not official and won’t be put in place if citizens don’t mobilize.”
— With a file from the Canadian Press
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