MONTREAL — The controversial REM de L’Est, planned as the second phase of Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail project, faces an uncertain future after the pension fund behind the project said it will seek to delay environmental hearings.
The CBC reports that CDPQ Infra, the infrastructure-project arm of Quebec pension fund manager Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, said it will not proceed with the environmental hearing for the C$10 billion project until it has a greater understanding of the city of Montreal’s continuing concerns about the project.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said in response that the city has spelled out its concerns in a report by an advisory committee. “We expect CDPQ Infra to do its homework and respond to the requests expressed” in that report, Plante said.
The project has faced criticism that its plans for an elevated portion in downtown Montreal will be an eyesore, a concern which reportedly prompted two design firms to quit and led to the addition of a tunnel in plans for the downtown area [see “Builder of Montreal light rail line agrees to downtown tunnel,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 3, 2021].
The delay means construction of the 20-mile, 23-station project will not begin in 2023 and will not be in operation in 2029, as originally planned. But the provincial government says the project will still be built.
really no problem with several more years of mismanagement delay , the final environmental report will be quite simple no problem “The earth is a dead Planet”
Absolutely sad news for a genuine railroad town who has always emulated the gorgeous Paris’ magnificient RER network and kept the title of being “the most European city in North America after the golden SanFran” according to some critics! But, “Better late than never” of course! So, “Bon courage” to you dear Montreal!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Montreal is world class, it will be done in a timely fashion with all the i dotted and t crossed.