Réseau express métropolitain: Starting installation of rails in the West Island and crossing of Highway 40 by launching gantry "Marie"

While the installation of the first REM rails has begun in Montréal's West Island, launching gantry "Marie" will cross Highway 40 again in August which will result in significant impact on this section of the road network. Indeed, Marie had made a first crossing in October 2019. This year, the crossing will take place in the Pointe-Claire sector at St-Jean Boulevard.  

As part of this phased work, there are two major obstructions to watch for:  

• Weekend from Friday, August 6, 11 PM to Monday, August 9, 5 AM: complete closure of Highway 40 East at St-Jean Boulevard 
• Weekend from Friday, August 13, 11 PM to Monday, August 16, 5 AM: complete closure of Highway 40 West at St-Jean Boulevard 

During these obstructions, motorists are invited to avoid the area by taking Highway 20.  

Here is a map showing the planned obstruction on Highway 40 East: 

Here is a map showing the planned obstruction on Highway 40 West:

Also note that night closures (11:00 PM to 5:00 AM) will be required from August 2 to August 16 on the Highway 40 East service road, Highway 40 East and Highway 40 West. Night closures will also be necessary on Highway 40 West service road from September 3rd to 10th. Full details of the obstructions and detours to use are available here:  Launching gantry “Marie” - elevated structure construction on the Anse-à-l’Orme branch | REM.  

Moreover, although impressive, it is important to remember that this method of working is safe and proven. Traffic can be safely re-established during the day once the segments have been secured to the launching gantry; there is no risk for motorists travelling under the structure. Users must remain attentive and must not let themselves be distracted by the launching gantry. 

This closure is subject to change depending on the progress of the night work and weather conditions. 

Installation of the first REM rails in the West: work is progressing  

The project continues to make great strides in the sector as the installation of the first REM rails has begun. This year's objective is to complete the installation of rails on 9.3 km of the elevated structure. We expect to complete the installation of the rail and catenary systems on the entire segment by the end of 2022.  

The launch gantries, "Anne" and "Marie", began their crossing in the West two years ago and will finish their route in the sector this year. Indeed, Marie began its route in the Saint-Laurent borough in June 2019 and made a first crossing of Highway 40 in the fall of 2019. It will conclude its route this year with its final destination being Fairview-Pointe-Claire station, where Anne began its adventure two years earlier. Anne will finish its crossing at the Anse-à-L'Orme station. Together, they will have completed the 13.5 km of the elevated structure. Then, one of the gantries will complete the 840-metre elevated portion of the airport branch, while a second will be sent to the Pierrefonds-Roxboro sector. 

Several teams, totalling more than 250 workers, built the elevated structure. In addition, 200 Béton préfabriquée du Lac (BPDL) employees worked on manufacturing the concrete segments at the plant located in St-Eugène-de-Grantham. Prefabrication has enabled rapid progress and guaranteed  construction quality since the segments are manufactured in a controlled environment. 

The use of launching gantries is a very efficient and fast construction method.  On average, it takes two days to erect one span, that is, to cover the distance between two columns (30 to 40 metres). This way of working also greatly limits impacts, since the construction of a similar span without prefabricated parts would normally take three weeks.  These elements made it possible to carry out several highway and important street crossings while limiting the duration of the obstructions.  

Here is some data on the construction of the elevated structure in the West Island (number completed/number to be installed): 

• Columns: 367/367 
• Concrete segments: 2,999/4,102 
• Spans: 270/366 

In conclusion, the construction of the Anse-à-l'Orme and Fairview-Pointe-Claire stations is progressing rapidly. The building exteriors of both stations will be completed this year, and the interior work (plumbing, electricity, ceramics, etc.) can begin next year. Work on the Des Sources and Kirkland stations will begin this year, with construction of the foundations for the Des Sources station this summer and the Kirkland station this fall.  

About the REM 

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a new, 67-km integrated public transit network that will feature 26 stations and link downtown Montréal, the South Shore, the West Island, the North Shore and Montréal-Trudeau airport through a fully automated electric light rail system. Offering high-frequency service, the REM will operate 7 days per week, 20 hours per day, and will be connected to the three main lines of the Montréal metro.