Montreal's newest trendy neighbourhood could be the one you least expect. With new Réseau express métropolitain (REM) stations being built and huge developments planned in the area, Ville Saint-Laurent is looking to be on its way up. The borough will soon be connected to the city's public transit network unlike ever before.
In three years from now, Ville Saint-Laurent will have the most REM stations in Montreal: Côte-de-Liesse, Montpellier, Du Ruisseau, Bois-Franc, and Marie-Curie.
The REM tells MTL Blog that this means "in a few years if you live in Saint-Laurent, you will have access to a light-rail technology that will transport you across town with a high frequency 20 hours a day, 7 days a week! Just imagine the new possibilities!"
For instance, if you live near Bois-Franc station, you will be able to go downtown in 15 minutes and to the airport in 10 minutes.
In addition to the several REM stations in the borough, the City of Montreal has outlined a transit-oriented development (TOD) plan for the Bois-Franc area.
Within a one-kilometre radius of the Bois-Franc REM station, the city plans to develop over 7,000 new housing units along with "104,350 m² of parks, public squares, and green spaces."
Several of the borough's REM stations have already begun to take shape.
A drone video (seen below) shows off the incredible progress that's being made in Bois-Franc. This station will be one of the first ones completed in the borough.
"Three of the five stations (Côte-de-Liesse, Montpellier, Du Ruisseau) will be in service around 2022," says the REM.
Réseau express métropolitain (REM)
Progress is happening at a breakneck pace, as "at the end of this year, 4 stations will be visible (Côte-de-Liesse, Montpellier, Du Ruisseau, and Bois-Franc)."
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The stations, along with the Bois-Franc TOD, will transform St-Laurent.
In addition to the over 7,000 new housing units, the city has outlined the "development potential" of the area as:
"39,600 m² of office space"
"37,700 m² of commercial area"
"23,300 m² of floor space dedicated to institutional functions"
"104,350 m² of parks, public squares and green spaces, which together with the green spaces to be developed and the existing parks would eventually account for nearly 17% of the TOD area."
Réseau express métropolitain (REM)
Hope you're looking forward to the redevelopment of Ville Saint-Laurent!
