Montreal’s REM Airport Station Project Advancing

Transport Canada (TC) has reported that C$500 million (US$398.95 million) in new government investments are slated for the construction of a Réseau express métropolitain (REM) station at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.

Montreal’s 67-km (41.6-mile) automated light rail network will offer 26 stations, connecting downtown Montreal to the South Shore, North Shore, West Island and the airport (see map below). It is expected to begin partial service in 2022, with full operation in 2024.

Aéroports de Montréal will lead construction of the $C600 million (US$478.74 million) airport station project.

Financial contributions will come from:
• TC, up to C$100 million ($79.79 million). This investment, according to TC, is “part of a program to support large airports, as announced in the Fall Economic Statement of November 2020.”
• Québec government, through Investissement Québec, up to C$100 million ($79.79 million). This loan will be provided to Aéroports de Montréal.
• Canada Infrastructure Bank, up to C$300 million ($239.37 million). This loan builds on its previous REM investment of C$1.3 billion ($1.04 billion).
• Aéroports de Montréal, up to C$100 million ($79.79 million). This is in addition to reimbursing the loans granted by the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the Québec government.

“In the context of the pandemic, which had a major impact on airports, the contribution of the government of Quebec and the other financial partners, is essential,” said Chantal Rouleau, Minister for Transport (Québec) and the Minister responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region. “Montréal, just like any other big city, should have its own intermodal mass transit network. This station and the rest of the REM roll-out clearly represents the strong links of the public transportation system in the greater Montréal region. This is why we believe that a direct access to the passenger terminal through the REM, and therefore the construction of this station, is crucial.”

“As Canada looks ahead to economic recovery, transportation and tourism will be vital while we build back better,” said Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport.

The REM project office officially unveiled the first four light rail vehicles in November 2020.