Project overview
The container market at the Port of Montreal has been growing for more than 50 years. The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has been planning a new container terminal on its land in Contrecœur to support the growth of the container market in Quebec and Eastern Canada. When fully up and running, the container terminal in Contrecœur will make it possible to handle 1.15 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year.
- Two berths and a container handling area
- An intermodal marshalling yard connected to the main rail network
- A truck gate connected to the road network
- Secondary facilities for port activities
Social and economic impact
Project timeline
1988 to 1992
The MPA acquired 468 hectares including four kilometres of shoreline and a terminal that has been operating since the mid-1950s in the municipality of Contrecœur.
The site is a strategic location for operating a modern container terminal in light of the growth in activities at the Port of Montreal. It is located close to a rail network and the Highway 30 road network. It offers space nearby for industrial and logistics development and the sector is largely industrial.
April to December 2014
Pre-consultations with all project stakeholders, including business partners, government agencies, local communities and interest groups
Open houses held for the local population to help integrate the project into the community
December 2015
Submission by the MPA of its expansion project description to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA)
Fall 2016 to spring 2017
With a team of experts from SNC-Lavalin, the MPA completed the environmental impact assessment, addressing many issues: road and rail traffic, aquatic and land environments, marine transportation, economic benefits and the human environment in terms of impacts on neighbouring communities. For the latter, the MPA consulted with local stakeholders, met with the Aboriginal communities affected, organized thematic workshops with local experts and held open houses at Contrecœur and Verchères.
December 22, 2017
Publication of the Environmental Impact Statement on www.port-montreal.com
February 27 to March 1, 2018
Participation in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's public consultations and information sessions to present the results of the study to the public and stakeholders
2019
Termont and MGT confirm interest as site operators
Obtained up to $300 million in support from the Canada Infrastructure Bank
Federal historical authorization to increase Montreal Port Authority’s borrowing limit to $480M
Technical optimization of plans and quotes
2020
Launch of the Request for Qualification for the design and construction
Beginning of the preparatory work
2021
January 12: Announcement of $55 million in financial assistance from the Quebec government
Construction begins
2024
FAQ