The Port of Montreal’s expansion: construction of the new terminal in Contrecœur

Why are you doing this expansion project?

The Port of Montreal needs to expand in Contrecœur because its Montreal facilities are almost at full capacity. The population and economic activity in Eastern Canada are increasing and 88% of the volumes transiting through the Port of Montreal are bound for the Canadian market. Based on recent decades and thorough forecasts by experts, Quebec and Ontario will need more shore-based handling capacity to meet the needs of importing and exporting companies.

How far along are you with the expansion of your activities in Contrecœur?

The assessment process conducted by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) was completed and the federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change ruled in favour of the project. Also included in this decision were conditions of completion along with the commitments made by the MPA in the impact study. Given that we must comply with these conditions before construction, during construction and while the terminal is operating, we are analyzing these 330 or so conditions. They reflect expert opinion and consultation findings in terms of mitigation and compensation measures, and must be transparently monitored throughout the project.

What are the next stages?

We will be launching a Request for Qualification in the fourth quarter of 2021 to select corporate consortia interested in bidding on the construction and operation of the future facilities. Preparatory work should get underway in the third quarter of 2023 and last approximately 36 months.

However, all activities remain subject to obtaining the required approvals and permits as well as complying with the conditions set out in the decision statement by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). 

What will the Port of Montreal do to fight shoreline erosion?

Once completed, the Contrecœur expansion will result in only two or three port calls by vessels per week and will have little or no effect on shoreline erosion. Yet shoreline erosion is a natural phenomenon that can be aggravated if a vessel does not respect the speed limit. This is why the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada enforce the applicable regulations.

You can contact the Canadian Coast Guard at any time (1 855 859-3123) if you believe that a vessel is not respecting the speed limit.

What about issues related to the presence of the copper redhorse fish and protecting its habitat?

The Montreal Port Authority shall carry out its expansion project while respecting the Species at Risk Act, mainly through the mitigation and compensation measures identified by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. These measures include:

Creating at least two hectares of grass beds (at least twice the amount of habitat that will be destroyed)

Improving water quality in the Richelieu watershed where copper redhorse spawn

Instituting an awareness program for users of the river on the copper redhorse and its habitat

Learning more about the juvenile stage of the copper redhorse

Even though the expansion project affects 0.9 hectares (90 m x 100 m) of the copper redhorse’s feeding area out of the 30,000 hectares, or 0.003% of the grass beds that make up the protected habitat, the MPA continues to improve the proposed mitigation and compensation measures.

What about cohabitation issues with riverside residents?

In Contrecœur, we already have a terminal that is operating. Among the community relations initiatives that we are actively setting up is a Good Neighbourhood Committee to establish an ongoing dialogue before, during and after construction of the new container terminal. For more information on the Port's community relations initiatives, click here: Communities.

How many trucks per day will serve the new terminal?

The new terminal will be phased in gradually. When it starts operating, between 250 and 370 trucks per day will access the site. At full capacity in about 25 years, or 2050, this could reach 1,200 trucks per day. While current road infrastructures can accommodate the volume of trucks, the gradual increase in their number will make it possible to adjust by factoring in the growth curve and new technologies related to the electrification of ground transportation and, more broadly, freight mobility management.

When the terminal is in operation, Montée de la Pomme-d’Or will be the preferred collector road allowing trucks to connect with Highway 30 and Route 132 to and from the port terminal.

How will the new terminal impact rail traffic on the South Shore?

Same as for trucks, the new terminal will be phased in gradually. About one or two rail shipments per week will access the new terminal when it opens. This frequency will gradually increase to one or two trains per day once the terminal reaches full capacity in about 25 years, by 2050. The new container terminal will use the existing rail network south of Route 132.

Is the sediment that will be dredged contaminated?

Hundreds of analyses have been conducted at various depths to ascertain the sediment quality. Also, nearly 90% of the sediments targeted for construction of the ship approach area are natural clay of glacial origin, as found throughout the region. The other 10% of the sediments are alluvial deposits.

Are you deepening the shipping channel to accommodate larger vessels?

No. The only reason for dredging the sediments is to build the approach area. The shipping channel will not be dredged for the future terminal. The size of the vessels will not be larger than those using the Montreal facilities.

What land is available near the future Contrecoeur terminal? 

Are there any current calls for tenders for the project?