Canada-based CDPQ Infra has announced the addition of three new stations for the Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) project in Quebec.
Bassin Peel, McGill and Édouard-Montpetit stations are expected to improve downtown Montreal service and further integrate the project into the metro system through smooth connections to the Orange, Green and Blue lines.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The three new stations also increase use of public transit in the Greater Montréal area, alleviate pressure on the metro’s Orange line, and ensure better access through the Édouard-Montpetit Station to university campuses.
CDPQ president and CEO Michael Sabia said: “Efficient downtown service and the seamless integration of the REM into the metro system have always been core objectives of our project.
“Today, we’re pleased to announce plans for the construction of these new stations during the first phase the REM and take one more step towards completing a vital project for Montréal.”
The stations will also improve access to downtown Montreal, the underground city (RÉSO) and McGill University; improve public transit service to Griffintown, Pointe-Saint-Charles and Cité du Multimédia. Furthermore, they will create new points of departure from the downtown core to the Montréal-Trudeau airport.
CDPQ Infra president and CEO Macky Tall said: “Considering the depth of the Mont-Royal Tunnel and the density of the built environment, the downtown stations presented particular technical challenges. But we were successful in developing innovative solutions.”
With the addition of the three stations, the total number of REM stations will now be 27 and the project construction costs will be around C$5.9bn ($4.3bn).
To finance the new stations, la Caisse will increase its participation by C$100m ($73.9m).
Construction of the REM, including the three new stations, is depended on the financial participation of the governments of Québec and Canada and is expected to begin next year.
The first trains are expected to be operational at the end of 2020.
