CDPQ Infra has entered into an agreement with Canadian National Railway (CN) in which CDPQ Infra will acquire the aerial structure leading to Central Station (Viaduc du Sud) from CN. The agreement is part of CDPQ Infra's Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) project, which will establish a unified, integrated system, with Central Station as the intermodal hub linking four metropolitan branches.
The agreement will allow the REM to access the station directly and also allows the REM to use Central Station and run under CN's tracks in the Pointe-Saint-Charles sector.
The agreement with CN will allow CDPQ Infra to significantly reduce the project impacts on the urban fabric, with the preservation of heritage buildings, such as the Rodier Building, and various residential and commercial buildings. The use of existing structures also eliminates need to build parallel tracks and close Saint-Paul, William and Dalhousie Streets, thereby avoiding further inconvenience for citizens.
"This agreement crystallizes the vision we had for the REM, that of a unified system, integrated into the urban fabric,” said Macky Tall, president and CEO of CDPQ Infra. “We are truly grateful for CN's collaboration in helping us find solutions, particularly in facilitating the REM's access to Central Station, the network hub. This speaks to the seriousness and commitment of a partner who, like us, seeks to improve the fluidity and efficiency of transportation in the Greater Montréal area."
"Considering the key role played by rail transportation in the fight against climate change, CN is proud to be able to facilitate the implementation of this major project that will benefit and develop the Greater Montreal area," said Janet Drysdale, CN's vice president corporate development.
The agreement between CDPQ Infra and CN provides for the acquisition of land, buildings, structures, bridges, as well as rail infrastructure between Bridge and Saint-Antoine Streets in a central area of Montreal.
The three operators of passenger services (AMT Mont-Saint-Hilaire line, AMTRAK and VIA Rail) that currently use the Viaduc du Sud will not be affected by CDPQ's acquisition. The REM project will require construction work and potential changes to the structure, with the work carried out without interfering with existing passenger services.