Major projects: Investing to prepare the future

Ensuring the quality of services and the sustainability of port facilities remained a top priority for the MPA. As the Port of Montreal approaches its maximum land-based container handling capacity, the MPA continued to prepare for the future by pursuing its large-scale expansion project in Contrecœur. At the same time, on the Island of Montreal, investments of $117.4 million were made during the year, thereby helping to improve both supply chain fluidity and the city-port interface.

Port of Montreal’s Contrecœur expansion

Several key steps were taken by MPA teams in planning the major expansion project in Contrecœur, which will add 1.15 million containers to the Port of Montreal’s current land capacity, a 60% increase.

Agreement signed with CN

The Montreal Port Authority and Canadian National Railway signed an agreement in principle to develop the rail component of the Port of Montreal’s Contrecœur expansion. The objective of the agreement is to effectively integrate the rail network with the new terminal, helping to maximize the terminal’s efficiency and ensure a competitive commercial offering. It will provide strategic, competitive and enhanced access to key markets such as Ontario and the U.S. Midwest. In addition, two joint MPA and CN receptions were held to promote the project.

Qualification of bidders

Following the Request for Qualifications issued on November 23, 2021, three bids were qualified for selection as a private partnership. The qualified bidders were invited to submit a bid in the Request for Proposals issued in May 2022. It is expected that the private partner selected will be announced in the second quarter of 2023 and that financial and commercial closure will take place in the third quarter of 2023, leading to a start of construction start in the same year. The terminal is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2026.

Environmental protection measures

The MPA signed an agreement with the Arbre-Évolution Coop to conduct an analysis of the potential for afforestation and wildlife connectivity in the natural environment of the City of Contrecœur. This research work will be used to implement various environmental protection measures connected with the expansion project, whether to fulfill project completion conditions or as part of other commitments and measures. Other initiatives to protect various species, such as bank swallows, bats and copper redhorse fish, were also implemented (see the Environmental Projects section).

Infrastructure optimization projects

Several major infrastructure projects are being rolled out simultaneously on Port territory. Their purpose is to optimize services, improve the fluidity of the supply chain and ensure the sustainability of its infrastructure. The Montreal Port Authority was awarded $15,449,000 in financial support by the Government of Quebec for the construction and repair of marine infrastructure. This amount will be used to carry out three projects geared to support Quebec’s economic recovery: the repair of Berth 28 in the Port of Montreal, the repair and widening of the Pie-IX railway bridge, and further construction of the overpass spanning Notre- Dame Street.

Rail capacity increase: Phase 2

Since 2018, Port of Montreal teams have been working on an extensive rail capacity expansion project, a $60+ million overall investment. The objective: add six km of railway tracks to the Port’s existing network to improve capacity and service. These tracks are being laid parallel to the existing tracks.

The project completed its second phase, which extended from Sections 32 to 39, Parthenais Street to Préfontaine Street. Project works included sewer and aqueduct work, installing piles and a retaining wall, electrical work and paving.

Sustainable components of the project included using excavated soil for backfill, making the foundation of the new Port Road used by trucks from recycled concrete, and using composite rail ties made of recycled plastic.

Viau sector overpass

With a total budget of $43.8 million, the purpose of the overpass project in the Viau sector is to increase the fluidity of freight transport by truck and to reduce truck traffic on Notre-Dame Street East by directly linking the overpass to the future extension of Assomption Boulevard South.

The teams completed the overpass foundations, installed box girders over Notre-Dame Street East, installed the steel structure and bridge span over the Port’s railway tracks, and raised the Port Road.

Sustainable components of the project included using recycled glass in some of the concrete elements and preserving as many of the existing trees as possible. The project also included landscaping and architectural components with an artistic concept by the Molinari Foundation, replacing each tree cut down with two new planted trees, lighting to Dark Sky standards, and rainwater management with drainage ditches allowing infiltration into the water table.

An information session on the soil remediation plan was also organized to inform the public on the characterization studies, toxicological and ecotoxicological risk assessment, groundwater impacts and remediation plan prepared for construction of the overpass and the access road to the Port of Montreal.

Wharf repairs

Managing berths that are sometimes a century old, the Port of Montreal invests in repairing and deepening its wharves to maintain its infrastructure in good condition and to be able to adapt to changing vessel sizes. Investments totalling $25 million were made on Maisonneuve berths (66 to 68), Viau berths and berths 57N-62.

Projects to improve the city-port interface

The crowning touch to the massive redevelopment of the passenger terminal and Alexandra Pier, now the Port of Montreal’s Grand Quay, the Port of Montreal Tower expresses the Port of Montreal’s resolve to make a lasting and positive contribution to the urban landscape.

Port of Montreal Tower

Construction of the Port of Montreal Tower continued all year in preparation for its opening this spring. Over the course of the year, the teams completed the curtain wall, installed the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, and finished the interior spaces of the lobby, the interpretative deck and the glass observatory overlooking the city. The exterior landscaping, featuring a wooded terrace planted with ten British Columbia red cedar trees and outdoor furniture, was also completed.

Viau embankment

The Viau East and West sectors were redeveloped with 8.5 metre high landscaped embankments along Notre-Dame Street between Sicard Street and the CN overpass. This project helps improve the city-port interface by minimizing the visual and noise impacts of port activities on the neighbouring community.

Trading with the world

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