CDPQ Infra awards REM contracts; set construction date

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
image description
An architectural rendering of the Réseau express métropolitain project moving across a bridge.
CNW Group/CDPQ Infra Inc.

CDPQ Infra said two consortia, Groupe NouvLR and Groupe des Partenaires pour la Mobilité des Montréalais (PMM), won contracts for the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project, which will begin construction in April.

CDPQ Infra noted that the awarding of the contracts and setting of the construction start date marks the official launch of the REM project, which it says will build the “largest public transportation network in Greater Montréal in 50 years.”

The project had several objectives and CDPQ Infra cites collaboration with its partners in meeting those objectives, which included staying within a CA$6.3 billion (US$5 billion) construction envelope.

“The REM is now a reality,” stated Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. “Since the very start of the project, less than two years ago, we have been meeting with the public, municipalities, transportation companies and other stakeholders. We listened to their ideas and suggestions, which turned into innovative solutions and continuously improved our project.”

Groupe NouvLR won the infrastructure engineering, procurement and construction contract. The consortia includes SNC Lavalin Grands Projets Inc.; Dragados Canada Inc.; Groupe Aecon Québec Ltée; Pomerleau Inc.; and EBC Inc. NouvLR Conception participants include SNC Lavalin Inc. and Aecom Consultants Inc.

The rolling stock, systems, operation and maintenance contract was awarded to Groupe des Partenaires pour la Mobilité des Montréalais, which is comprised of Alstom Transport Canada Inc. and SNC-Lavalin O&M Inc.

According to CDPQ Infra, the two selected consortia will harmonize their respective proposals in the next few months to finalize the details of the schedule and begin work in the spring.

Once the consortia’s proposals are harmonized and their respective schedules are combined, a work schedule will be released. Following this, construction of the REM will begin in April. After a testing period at the end of 2020, the first branch of the REM will be operational in the summer of 2021.

Tags: