Updating the timeline of the project to ensure successful implementation for future South Shore users

• Infrastructure and electrification work completed
• Ongoing testing between Brossard and Central Station
• Decision to extend the final testing period to ensure system reliability

Today, CDPQ Infra provided an update on the status of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project and the many critical milestones that have been reached in recent months, particularly on the South Shore, where the opening schedule has been updated.

This year was marked by several important achievements, including the completion of infrastructure work, the complete electrification of the South Shore branch and, since July, the test run of the circulation of the REM cars between Brossard and Central Station.

"We fully understand the users who are eager to see the REM's service launch. Our teams have worked hard in the last few months in a challenging environment to deliver a reliable network. Taking a few more months to deliver an experience that lives up to expectations was the responsible decision to make."
 
Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ Infra

For the past 30 months, the construction of the future network has been taking place in an exceptional context. As in all sectors, supply chains, the price of goods, and the availability of manpower are major challenges. Thus, the final tests that must be performed would have led to a commissioning in the middle of winter 2023. 

However, this period is not optimal for the implementation of a new transportation network, nor for the required redeployment of our partners' bus networks. CDPQ Infra has therefore decided to update the timetable for the opening of the five South Shore stations to the spring of 2023. 

"We are now in the final stage of completing the final testing required to meet our commitment to deliver a reliable, high-quality network into service. 
Work on the REM began in 2018; today, the observation is that in five years, the project has taken shape at an exceptional speed, despite a global pandemic that spanned half of that period. This is a major accomplishment and a source of great pride. Adding an extral period of testing to reinforce the full reliability of the system will ensure a successful rollout for future users."
 
Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and Chief Executive Officer of CDPQ Infra