On June 3, the Réseau Express Metropolitain (REM) presented an update on its progress so far — three years into the launch of the light-rail metro project.
As its 3,000 workers are preparing for what's slated to be "the project's biggest work season" this summer, here's a look at what's been happening.
Editor's Choice: A NASA Astronaut Snapped Mesmerizing New Photos Of Montreal From Space
As the South Shore branch of the REM is slated to open in 2022, workers will be hustling to finish this crucial portion linking Brossard and downtown.
"The year 2021 will be a critical one in preparation for commissioning the REM’s Rive-Sud branch next year," the REM said in a press release.
"Currently," across the network, "23 stations are under construction, 3 of which are nearing completion."
Crews have so far installed 10 kilometres of "overhead structure" in addition to 13.7 kilometres of the planned 67 kilometres of track.
CDPQ Infra had to allocate "$200 million to address issues" related to the pandemic.
"The total project budget is now estimated at $6.9 billion," said the REM. But luckily, the estimated future fare rate for riders remains the same.
The REM has logged more than 200 hours of tests of its automated trains, which recently reached 90 km/h.
The first branch of the REM is set to open in 2022. The mega transit project is set to be complete by the end of 2024.