3 construction sites to watch this summer

In the weeks after the geotechnical drilling and surveying has been completed, REM work will pick up speed. Here are a few details about the three major construction sites planned for this summer.

1. Digging for the Édouard-Montpetit Station...to a depth of 70 metres

This is one of the major technical challenges in the REM construction project: they have to dig very deep–to a depth of 70 metres, which is the equivalent of 20 storeys–to connect the REM station to the metro’s blue line.

“This will be the second deepest station in North American, just behind Washington Park in Portland,” explains Jean-Philippe Pelletier, Assistant Director of Coordination. “What further complicates this endeavour is that the excavation will take place in a very restricted amount of space, which is dense with public utility lines (drinking water, electricity).”

This construction site requires that the metro entrance next to the Marie-Victorin Pavilion (Université de Montréal music facility) be closed; however, the other two entrances will remain accessible at all times. Excavated materials will be handled by a continuous stream of approximately twenty trucks travelling on Vincent d’Indy Avenue.

When this phase of the project is complete, REM’s station Édouard-Montpetit will connect the REM to the metro’s blue line.                           

Dates to remember:

• June 16, 2018: preparatory work, closure of the Édouard-Montpetit station entrance facing the Marie-Victorin Pavilion
• August 2018: excavation begins

2. Construction of the future Mont-Royal and Canora station foundations

While we will need to be patient a little while longer for a glimpse of the final station architecture, construction will begin this summer! On the schedule: demolition of existing platforms, removal of rails on one track, and foundation construction (refer to areas in red below).

These actions are necessary since the new stations will be covered, protecting users from the elements and the cold. A platform screen door system will also be installed to increase user safety. The system will prevent people from crossing the tracks or dropping objects on them.

During the work, commuter trains will only run on one line at the Mont-Royal and Canora stations (as opposed to two tracks, currently). This will ensure both workers and users stay safe at all times. This also explains why, effective June 25, almost every scheduled departure on the Deux-Montagnes line, as well as some of the departures on the Mascouche line have changed.

Dates to remember:

• June 25, 2018: New exo schedules for the Deux-Montagnes and Mascouche lines to accommodate station construction
• Download the new schedules for the Deux-Montagnes line
• Download the new schedules for the Mascouche line

3. Preparing the REM route on the South Shore, in the middle of the A10 

The third major construction site this summer will be located on the South Shore: it consists of temporarily reconfiguring Highway A10 to allow the REM route and stations (Panama, Du Quartier) to be built.

During the works, a portion of the highway will be requisitioned to leave clearance for the workers. A10 will be reconfigured to minimize impact on traffic:

• Toward Montréal: motorists will travel on the same two lanes as they currently do
• Toward Sherbrooke: motorists will now travel on two service roads, which will be adjusted
• Consequently, a new service road will be built on the side to meet safety criteria.

Traffic will likely be more congested in that area, especially in the first few weeks.

Remember that the Gare Centrale–Rive Sud route will be the first REM segment to enter into service. Departures are planned for 2021, just three years after these first construction sites open!

Dates to remember:

• End of June 2018: temporary reconfiguration of highway A10, toward Sherbrooke.

For more information on the major construction sites for the summer of 2018, download the technical briefing published June 4, 2018.

To keep you informed, we will update work progress daily on our Works info map. You can also subscribe to our newsletter (to learn about the project’s major stages) and/or to SMS alerts for your area (traffic hindrances).