Ottawa to retire DOT-111 rail tanker cars ahead of schedule

MONTREAL – Transport Minister Marc Garneau is confirming older DOT-111 rail tanker cars will not be able to transport crude oil as of Nov. 1.

The cars are the same model that was involved in the deadly Lac-Mégantic tragedy in which 47 people died three years ago.

WATCH: Phasing out of DOT-111 tanker cars latest in rail safety changes

1:34 Phasing out of DOT-111 tanker cars latest in rail safety changes

The ban kicks in on Nov. 1, six months earlier than planned for “non-jacketed” cars – those without a layer of thermal protection – and 16 months earlier than cars with jackets.

Garneau made the official announcement in Montreal today, a few days after telling The Canadian Press about the news in an interview.

READ MORE: Rebuilding after the Lac-Mégantic train derailment

On July 6, 2013, a runaway freight train pulling 72 crude-oil laden DOT-111s derailed and exploded, killing 47 people and flattening downtown Lac-Mégantic.