The province of Quebec says construction on a new commercial centre in Lac-Megantic will begin in early September.
100 businesses hope to be back in operation by the end of the year as part of a plan that includes a bridge across the Chaudiere river, a park to commemorate the disaster and a temporary rail line.
"The municipality, with the Ministry of Transport will build this temporary link and consider constructing a permanent railway line, but we have to continue the study about this issue," said Premier Pauline Marois.
The provincial government will spend $16 million to rebuild Lac-Megantic, money that was already announced for this project several weeks ago.
Marois says no dangerous materials will be transported on the temporary line.
Meanwhile the mayor of Lac-Megantic, Colette Roy-Laroche, said at this point she does not know when decontamination of the Red Zone, the most-damaged area in town, will even begin.
It appears that area will remain off-limits to the public at least until next summer.
