Montreal, Maine & Atlantic's Canadian operations extended again

The railroad company at the centre of the deadly Lac-Mgantictrain derailment and explosion has been given another reprieve.

The Canadian Transportation Agency is allowing the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway to continue its operations in the country until Oct. 18.

• MM&A gets green light to operate until October
• Quebec court grants MM&A railway more time to meet creditors
• Railway in Lac-Mgantic disaster may get operating extension in Canada

CTA spokeswoman Jacqueline Bannister said MM&A has provided proof of sufficient liability insurance for short-term operations.

This decision comes after the railway petitioned a previous decision rendered by the CTA on Aug. 23 giving the company until Oct. 1 to end its Canadian operations.

In its petition, MM&A asked to have its certificate of fitness extended to Jan. 15, 2014.

It may still get a January deadline. Bannister said the CTA has requested additional informationfrom MM&Aand will consider a variety of factors before handing down its decision.

Whether the CTA decides to extend MM&A's deadline also dependson what the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act Court has to say. MM&A has a hearing on Oct. 9 in Sherbrooke, Que., that Bannister said may have an impact on the CTAs consideration of longer-term operations.

She said the CTA will issue its decision about extending operations until Januarybefore Oct. 18.