Two major Government of Canada investments impacting Port of Montreal infrastructures were announced in 2018.
The first, for $18.4 million announced on April 13, will make it possible to optimize the intermodal network through the construction of 6,000 additional metres of rail track and switches.
This amount supports our four-phase optimization project announced in May 2017, for which we received funding from the Government of Quebec. Consequently, during 2018 the Port of Montreal continued to design and implement works on the following four projects: optimization of the intermodal network, redevelopment of Bickerdike Terminal, development of bulk terminals and upgrading wharves.
The second, for $45.8 million announced on May 14, was awarded to the City of Montreal for the road infrastructure adjacent to the Port. This funding will make it possible to extend Assomption Blvd. and provide a direct link between the Port and the highway to help reduce congestion on Notre-Dame Street.
In keeping with the same objective to improve the fluidity of freight transport and reduce congestion around its territory, the MPA updated its Trucking PORTal web application, which provides real-time reports on wait times and truck traffic on the terminals. Intended for the approximately 2,500 trucks that access the Port of Montreal daily, this application now makes it possible for the drivers to receive notifications on Port traffic and to create their own profile to receive pertinent information according to their needs. The terminal also extended their opening hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.