Along with investments directly related to infrastructure expansion and development, the MPA launched several projects specifically aimed at improving the flow of goods. These projects were made possible through grants from the governments of Quebec and Canada.
Intermodal optimization
Announced in 2018, work to increase rail capacity began in 2019 with the launch of the design and planning phase. Totalling $50 million, this project aims to add six kilometres to the Port of Montreal’s approximately 100 kilometres of rail track, and to increase rail freight capacity. Accounting for 45% of the Port’s containerized freight traffic, rail plays a definitive role in the efficient management of goods on its docks. As part of the preparatory phase of this project, work is under way to stabilize some of the docks.
Freight mobility project
In August 2019, an $18.5 million federal grant was announced to support a project to improve freight mobility. A provincial grant of $6.3 million was added in February 2020. There are several components to this project, estimated to cost $37 million. They include building a rail bridge at the truck gate to eliminate traffic conflicts between trains and trucks, developing a smart transportation system for port trucking, deploying real-time information signs for truckers and implementing solutions to control truck traffic at terminal entry points.