On Tuesday, the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) and CDPQ Infra announced a much-anticipated extension of the REM network on Montreal Island.
With 32 kilometres of rail and 23 stations, the new REM de l'Est aims to "meet a historic demand in Montréal’s east end," according to a statement shared with MTL Blog.
"It [REM de l’Est] will transform the nature of transit in Montréal’s east end with time savings of up to 70 percent while bringing neighbourhoods closer together and accelerating the revitalization of this vast territory with enormous potential," said Jean-Marc Arbaud, Managing Director of CDPQ Infra.
Editor's Choice: Bloc Québécois Is Asking Quebecers To Start Saying 'Bonjour-HO!' This Holiday Season
“
This project has the potential to transform mobility in the east and northeast of the metropolis and to become a formidable engine for economic recovery.
Mayor Valérie Plante
The Quebec government has invested $10 billion into the REM de l'Est — one of the largest investments in public transit made by any administration, the statement claims.
Tuesday's announcement marks the beginning of a public consultation process.
The REM de l'Est will begin at Robert-Bourassa and extend as far east as Pointe-Aux-Tremble and as far north as Cégep Marie-Victorin.
Réseau Express Metropolitain & CDPQ Infra
The REM de l'Est project aims to accommodate some 133,000 passengers per day, "strengthening various types of economic activity and knowledge in this territory," the statement reads.
It will be integrated with the STM metro and offer east-end residents access to downtown in less than 30 minutes.
It will function as a completely separate network from the already-under-construction REM, which will connect the South and North Shores, West Island, and downtown.
There is no timeframe for when the project will be done but consultations will be submitted for review to the Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE) by 2021.
