Réseau express métropolitain: Work begins on the North Shore and in Pierrefonds-Roxboro in January 2021

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is embarking on a new phase of construction. It will begin work on the North Shore and in Pierrefonds-Roxboro during the first weeks of 2021 in order to commission the future northern portion of the new automated light rail system in November 2024. With the complete shutdown of the rail shuttle running on the former Deux-Montagnes commuter train line on December 31, work will begin in January on the northern portion of the route. Eventually, the old railway line will be transformed to allow for faster, more frequent and higher-capacity transportation service to meet future needs. 

Upcoming work

In January, following work being performed by exo and CN to make the railway tracks safer, mobilization of the work sites will begin in these two areas, and preparatory work will start in the following weeks.  

Between January and late March 2021, shrubs, trees and small vegetation will be removed within the railway right-of-way. This preparatory work is necessary in order to create temporary work areas and to make room for the REM’s infrastructure, such as the doubling of the railway track and the construction of six new stations, along with their entrances and parking lots, etc. These activities are controlled and orchestrated by our environmental experts and are carried out according to industry best practices and in compliance with applicable standards and regulations. 

Existing railway infrastructures will also be dismantled, starting with those at the Deux-Montagnes train station at the beginning of the year. The old infrastructure (electrical system, rails, ties, stone ballast) will be demolished to allow for the construction of the automated light rail system. This work will not affect current bus service, and transitional measures and parking spaces will remain available to users.

Beginning in the spring of 2021, work to convert existing crossings to rail or road overpasses will begin in sequence between the Du Ruisseau (in Saint-Laurent) and Deux-Montagnes stations. A total of 14 crossings will be converted on this portion of the route. Obstructions and street closures are to be expected in some areas. Detour routes will be provided.

Other work planned for 2021 in the area includes repairs to and the doubling of the railway track, the construction of retaining walls and overpasses, and the start of construction of REM stations.

A series of public meetings are planned for the Pierrefonds-Roxboro, Laval and Deux-Montagnes areas at the beginning of the year. For the detailed schedule, visit our event page:

See the upcoming events

Improved transportation services on the North Shore and in Pierrefonds

Commissioning of the REM on the North Shore and in Pierrefonds-Roxboro (between the Deux­Montagnes and Pierrefonds-Roxboro stations) is scheduled for the fall of 2024. Every effort is being made to optimize the work and testing schedules in order to commission the REM as soon as possible, while ensuring that the necessary systems and operational tests are completed and conclusive.

Eventually, six stations will be built in Deux-Montagnes, Laval and Pierrefonds-Roxboro. The old train will be transformed into an automated high-frequency light rail system (service every 5 minutes during rush hour and every 15 minutes during off-peak times in the area). High-frequency service offers more capacity. The REM has a capacity of 42,120 passengers during the morning rush hour, between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., which is almost 2.5 times the line’s previous capacity. 

Enclosed stations that are protected from the elements will make the experience more comfortable for users, who will wait for the REM on a platform separated from the tracks by an automated screen door system. (It will no longer be possible to drop objects on the tracks or to cross them, improving safety and reliability.) All stations will have elevators and be accessible to people with reduced mobility. Lastly, the cars will be heated, air-conditioned and connected to Wi-Fi.