The firms that will build and equip a US$5.3bn light rail system to connect the suburbs of Montreal with its city centre and international airport have been named.Â
The engineering and construction will be carried out by Canadian outfits SNC-Lavalin, Aecon, Pomerleau and EBC, as well as US engineer Aecom and Dragados Canada, a subsidiary of Spain’s ACS. The provision of the rolling stock will be handled by France’s Alstom Transport and SNC-Lavalin.
The Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) will be an automated 67km electric network. It will have 26 stations and will link downtown Montreal, the South Shore, the West Island, the North Shore and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
The scheme is described by the competition’s organiser as the "largest public transportation network in Greater Montréal in 50 years". Work on it will begin in April with the aim of becoming operational in summer 2021.
The competition was run by a subsidiary of the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ), the second largest pension fund in Canada.
Michael Sabia, the chief executive of CDPQ, said: "Through hard work with the consortiums, we met our objectives for the REM. The network will provide frequent and fast service, making the day-to-day easier for Greater Montréal.
"The return from this investment will benefit all Quebecers in their retirement, and with around 65% local content, Québec companies will be actively involved in building the network."
Macky Tall, CDPQ Infra’s chief executive, said: "The REM’s construction will contribute to Québec’s economic development by creating at least 34,000 local jobs.Â
"We’re excited to soon see a brand new public transportation network built with cutting-edge technology in Greater Montréal."Â
More information is available here.
Images courtesy of CDPQ Infra
