MONTRÉAL, April 12, 2018 – Less than two years following its announcement, construction work on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) has begun.
On February 8, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec announced that the construction of the REM, a partnership between the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada, would begin in April 2018 and that the first users would climb aboard in the summer of 2021. The selection of NouvLR General Partnership and Groupe des partenaires pour la mobilité des Montréalais (PMM) as the preferred consortiums was also unveiled.
At 67 km long, the REM will be the largest infrastructure integrated into public transit since the Montréal metro, which was inaugurated in 1966. Its construction cost is $6.3 billion, and the Government of Québec has committed to contribute $1.283 billion. The REM will create 34,000 jobs during its construction period and 1,000 permanent jobs once in operation. In the greater metropolitan region, it will reduce economic losses related to traffic congestion by nearly $1.9 billion per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 680,000 tonnes over 25 years of operation.
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The REM is not only an attractive project for Greater Montréal, but also reflects our ideal of Québec: modern, productive, fair, sustainable and mobile. Soon, travel in the South Shore, the North Shore and West Island will be a lot easier, especially for accessing the airport, which will improve residents’ quality of life. Together, we are building the new Québec.
– Philippe Couillard, Premier of Québec
I am very happy to be present for the launch of construction on the Réseau express métropolitain. Investments in infrastructure create jobs, support economic growth and contribute to Canada’s long-term prosperity. Our government understands the importance of public transit and is proud to support this project, which will make getting around easier for residents of Greater Montréal.
– The Honourable Marc Garneau, Transport Minister, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister Infrastructure and Communities
After the announcement of the extension of the blue line at the beginning of the week, the news about the launch of construction on the REM today demonstrates our desire to make sustainable mobility an essential element in transportation planning for Greater Montréal. The sustainable mobility policy, which will be unveiled shortly, will extend this vision to the provincial scale.
– André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification
