Construction of Montreal’s REM light-rail stations begins

CDPQ

Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light-rail project (REM) has reached another milestone as work begins on the first of the system’s 26 stations and elevated-track sections.

According to a report in the Montreal Gazette, work crews are clearing land adjacent to Highway 40 in the city’s West Island where pillars will be installed along the former Doney Spur line to support the tracks. This Doney Spur line  was acquired from CN in 2016.

The REM light-rail project is being developed by CDPQ Infra, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, and consists of a 67-kilometer (41.63-mile) high-frequency network.

The start of work on the stations comes a little more than three months after the Canada Infrastructure Bank agreed to provide a CA$1.28-billion (US$980-million), 15-year loan to help fund the project. Total costs for the project ae expected to be approximately CA$6.3-billion (US$4.84-billion).

A consortium called the Groupe NouvLR won the infrastructure engineering, procurement and construction contract in February. 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.

Station architecture and design will come from a collaboration of Perkins+Will, Lemay, and Bisson Fortin, according to the Architect’s Newspaper.

When complete, the REM light-rail system will connect the West Island with downtown Montreal, the South Shore, North Shore and Trudeau International Airport.