Upcoming work in Griffintown

The REM and the Griffintown sector in brief 

Between the Lachine Canal and De La Commune Street, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) will run on a structure built on the current slope along Smith Street. At De La Commune Street, it will run over the south overpass, which is the existing elevated railway structure connecting to Gare Centrale. REM will use the tracks on the west side, while the other tracks will still be used by exo, Via Rail and Amtrak.

Nature of upcoming work

The following preparatory work will take place this fall :

• Construction of an access ramp between the railway tracks and Brennan Street
• Removal of the temporary jetty in the Lachine Canal
• Finishing of the deck on the elevated structure that crosses the Lachine Canal
• Relocation of public utilities (phone cables)
• Removal of portals and curbing on the De La Commune railway bridge
• Construction of foundations for the future piles at the intersection of Smith and De La Commune Streets

 The work site area is shown below :

  Impacts and mitigation measures

• This work will generate significant noise, vibrations and dust. Environmental experts will conduct monitoring to ensure project criteria are met. Mitigation measures will be implemented where possible.
• Some night work is planned in order to ensure train traffic during the day is not hindered. This work will be carried out in coordination with Canadian National (CN).
• Several traffic pattern disruptions on De La Commune Street, between Smith and Brennan Streets, are planned. Occasional complete closures can also be expected, both during the day and at night. Flaggers and appropriate signage will be in place throughout the work. The left lane and sidewalk on Brennan Street, between De La Commune and Ann Streets, will be closed for approximately two weeks, beginning mid-October.
• Tree and brush clearing will be necessary in the Brennan Street sector, beginning in mid-October. The project includes a reforestation program to replace the trees that will be cut. These activities will also be overseen and coordinated by environmental specialists.

* Concentrated noisy activity in the daytime and evenings. Some work will have to be performed at night because of constraints related to nearby railway activities.