Preparatory work begins in West Island

As Fall begins, construction work on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is starting in the West Island with the setting up of work sites in preparation for the construction of REM infrastructures and new stations.

Preparatory work will begin in mid-September with cleanup of the future sites. This work includes the removal of branches and shrubs, and cutting trees. Since the REM mainly uses existing railway rights-of-way or current highway corridors (85% of the route), the work to be done will be kept to a minimum and will be restricted to within the boundaries of the land identified in the project design.

The REM project is subject to strict environmental requirements, and an environmental decree has been issued to this effect. The REM project office will ensure that its environmental commitments comply with these requirements.

These activities will be overseen and coordinated by our environmental experts and carried out in keeping with industry best practices and applicable standards and regulations. At-risk plant species and trees will be relocated or compensated with new plantings. All trees will be valued according to their attributes.

250,000 trees planted as part of REM construction

While the REM is being built, 250,000 trees will be planted in the Greater Montréal region, which is equivalent to the combined area of the Mount Royal and Jeanne-Mance parks. This commitment, made in 2016, is being put into practice in partnership with Jour de la Terre. Nearly 100,000 trees have already been planted in recent months.

The immediate purpose of this undertaking is to compensate for preparatory work; it is also to reduce GHG emissions associated with REM construction activities.

In addition to the 250,000 trees planted, NouvLR will also implement, as part of this work, a reforestation program where they will replace the trees cut in temporary work areas at a rate of 110%.

For all of the details concerning this preparatory work in the Pointe-Claire, Kirkland, Dorval and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue sectors, specific notices of work will be released.

Tools to monitor work progress

There are several informational tools in place to monitor work progress, including a website that is updated daily, work notices, a telephone line, a newsletter and SMS alerts. 

The REM’s Community Relations Office will also hold various activities this fall to proactively and regularly inform communities affected of upcoming work in their sectors, before it begins.

For more information, visit REM.info/en, follow us on Twitter @REMgrandmtl or consult our Facebook page.

About REM

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