New designs for Montreal's REM de l'Est address concerns, promoters say

Promoters of the proposed $10-billion light rail project for Montreal's east end are defending its design after a new report warns that the elevated concrete structure could "fracture" the urban landscape.

The second phase of the Réseau express métropolitain, known as the REM de l'Est, is being developed by CDPQ Infra, a subsidiary of Quebec's pension fund manager the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. 

It would include 23 stations along 32-kilometres of track stretching from downtown to the eastern neighbourhoods of Pointe-aux-Trembles and Montréal-Nord through a mix of underground tunnels and elevated tracks. 

The new report, compiled by an expert advisory committee tasked with ensuring that the project is well integrated into its surroundings, cited concerns that the large concrete pillars used to support the elevated portions of the track could become a physical barrier bisecting the neighbourhoods along its route.

The committee concluded that to keep the area around the elevated track livable and accessible, the layout of René-Lévesque Boulevard would have to be "fundamentally revised."

In particular, the report expresses "strong worries" about the large gap that would be created on René-Lévesque between de Bleury and Saint-Urbain Streets, where trains would exit an underground tunnel onto the elevated track. 

The committee also cited "extensive discussions" with representatives of CDPQ Infra about other concerns, such as the visual effect of the wire system used to power the trains, the height and opacity of sound barriers and the use of concrete, rather than steel.

But Chantal Rouleau, Quebec's junior transport minister and minister responsible for the metropolis and the Montreal region believes the committee's report is favourable to the project overall, adding that many of the concerns have already been addressed by the promoter.

"It will be well integrated in the urban sector," she said. 

Christian Ducharme, vice president of engineering at CDPQ Infra, says new designs unveiled Wednesday address "more than 80 per cent" of the concerns raised in the report. 

They include a 16-kilometre pedestrian promenade along René-Lévesque Boulevard, Notre-Dame Street and Sherbrooke Street, as well as bike paths and green space.

However, the walkway is not included in the project's $10-billion price tag and would be up to the city of Montreal to include.

An "urban lookout" would also be created overlooking the tunnel entrance on René-Lévesque, to make the area accessible for pedestrians. 

"We'll have pretty exceptional views towards the east of Montreal, on Jeanne-Mance street and to the north and south," said Ducharme.