Vegetation cutting for REM work, Deux-Montagnes

Nature of the work

NouvLR, the consortium responsible for the construction of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), will be cutting down vegetation in preparation for the work planned for 2021 in Deux-Montagnes.

These cuts of trees and shrubs are necessary to make way for REM infrastructure along the railway right-of-way, especially for:

• Removing the existing right-of-way fence and installing the new intrusion fence
• Making way for the doubling the railway track
• Allowing the construction of Grand-Moulin and Deux-Montagnes stations
• Allowing the relocation of public utilities
• Developing temporary roads as well as new permanent road links
• Installing temporary work areas for the consortium NouvLR

Mitigation measures

Efforts are made to minimize the cutting of vegetation to what is actually required for REM work:

• Meticulous work to identify the vegetation to be cut is carried out by forest engineers and reviewed by our environmental experts.
• Whenever possible, NouvLR’s work method is adjusted to limit vegetation cutting to a minimum.
• On the day of the work, field crews verify the need to cut the trees and shrubs previously identified in the deforestation plans.

Other mitigation measures apply to these activities:

• Special measures are provided for invasive species, emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease.
• Where possible, some at-risk trees are relocated to nurseries.
• Through a reforestation program, the same number of trees cut in temporary construction zones, with an additional 10%, will be replanted in the municipal territory or borough where the trees are cut.

Work zone

Vegetation cutting may be required along the REM route within the railway right-of-way, as well as within certain adjacent work areas, including a few trees near the exit of the railway bridge crossing the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, and in the area of the current Deux-Montagnes station which must be demolished.

*Dates subject to change. The timeframe may be extended if necessary.