After multiple delays for its launch on the South Shore and numerous breakdowns since its commissioning, the setbacks of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) continue. The deployment of this public transport project towards Laval and the North Shore as well as towards the west of Montreal is once again delayed and here is why you will still have to be patient before being able to travel via this network.
The deadlines have once again been pushed back for the commissioning of the REM, managed by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ). If the organization assures that it has a plan, it is however unable to announce a launch date.
In an interview with Radio-Canada, the project manager, Julien Hurel, affirmed that this “does not bring[rait] nothing” to give this information and that he does not wish to “create expectations” in a context where past deadline promises have not been kept.
So it won’t be right away that you will be able to take the REM to Laval (Sainte-Dorothée) or even to the Fairview Pointe-Claire for your travels in the greater Montreal area.
Only five stations, those of Central Station in Montreal, Nuns’ Island and Brossard, are currently in service on this vast planned REM network.REM
What you need to know: While the commissioning of the northern and western sections was initially planned for 2023, then postponed to 2024, we now learn that this will not happen before 2025. And this, without any precise date.
Delaysare due in part to the complexity of the work on the tunnel under Mount Royal, which has already cost the project $8 billion, we can read on the website of the state media company. In addition, staff made a surprising discovery in the tunnel that will connect Gare Centrale and Canora stations to those of McGill and Édouard-Montpetit: old explosives had been left behind, which was a major obstacle in progress.of road.
The REM spokesperson nevertheless assured that the teams are working day and night on the construction sites of the two new branches of the REM which will have to materialize…eventually.
If the rail network of all branches of the REM is well established, the fact remains that 21 of the 26 planned stations are still closed. Only those at Central Station, Nuns’ Island and Brossard are currently in service.
What’s coming: You will have to be even more patient to travel to Montreal-Trudeau airport or Griffintown, because these stations will not be inaugurated before 2027.
