REM crossing over Highway 40 starting October 6

Nature of the work

To allow the REM’s elevated structure to be built on the West Island, traffic obstructions are planned starting October 6 on Highway 40 (A40) where it meets Henri-Bourassa Boulevard. During this operation, the REM deck will be installed above Highway 40. This “big span” operation will be done in multiple phases over a period of about one month (from October 6 to 26).

Work will be done only at night, except for the weekend of October 19 and 20 when daytime work will also be done. During the day, all roadways will remain open to traffic and users will be able to travel safely under the structure.

* Planned dates are subject to change according to work progress and weather conditions.

Impacts and mitigation measures

Segments of Highway 40 and the service roads are scheduled to be closed in the area as the installation of the REM crossing progresses above the highway.

October 14 to 18*: nighttime closure of Highway 40 East near Henri-Bourassa Boulevard 

• 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.: closure of a segment of the A40 East 

• Detour at Exit 58 via the eastbound service road

Weekend of October 19-20: daytime AND nighttime closure of the eastbound service road

Closure of a segment of the eastbound road

• Local car circulation will be maintained for business access up to the Tim Hortons (1300 Route Transcanadienne)
• Complete closure of the service road after the Tim Hortons 

Closure of Exit 58 from A40 East

• We recommend to take Exit 55 (at des Sources boulevard), then the detour via Hymus boulevard

• You may also continue on A40 and take the next Exit (Exit 62, at Côte-Vertu boulevard)

• Traffic signs will be installed

Closure of the Saint-Régis boulevard access ramp (to take A40 East)

• Detour via des Sources boulevard

Launching gantry

In order to limit the impacts on road traffic, a very effective technique will be used on the West Island: a launching gantry. This is the first time launching gantries have ever been used in Québec.

Each one is 105 metres long and can support up to 550 tonnes!

These heavy-duty gantries are placed between two REM columns. The prefabricated segments of the elevated structure (weighing about 50 tonnes each) are then lifted and moved into place against one another to form the deck on which the REM’s rail cars will run.

Two launching gantries are used to build the REM’s 14.5-km Airport and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue branch. In October 2019, launching gantry Marie will cross Highway 40.