CDPQ Infra wants to calm things down in the face of the discontent aroused by the noise of passing trains on its Metropolitan Express Network (REM), still in the test phase. A few weeks before the official launch of the first section, sound tests will be carried out in Griffintown, Pointe-Saint-Charles and L’Île-des-Sœurs to determine if mitigation measures can be taken.
What there is to know
- The first section of the REM, connecting the South Shore to downtown Montreal, should in principle be delivered by June 21.
- Residents of several neighborhoods have been complaining for several months now about the loud noise generated by the ongoing tests.
- CDPQ Infra states that its sound tests could lead to additional measures if necessary, but does not commit to this.
“It really changes the tranquility of our living environment,” says Véronique Samson, who lives on rue Richardson, very close to the railway facilities where the REM will soon be running. “We have a small backyard that overlooks an alley. And we hear the birds normally. Since the REM tests, it’s really strong, ”she insists.
We had our doors and windows redone in 2020 and we still hear it with the doors closed. It really is an unusual noise.
Véronique Samson, resident of Pointe-Saint-Charles
She says that “driving at a lower speed in residential areas” would already “reduce noise a lot”. “We’ve been here since 2014, we love the neighborhood, so for sure we’re going to put the pressure on,” adds Mme Samson.
Same story at Anne Côté, who lives nearby, rue Mullins. “It’s really disturbing. It’s like a white noise that we hear all the time. Even with headphones in my yard or inside with the windows closed, I can hear it. In fact, the REM, we hear it coming, we see it, then we hear it leave again,” she says.
In recent months, a vast mobilization has been orchestrated on social networks, in order to obtain mitigation measures, including a noise barrier. Action-Gardien, community development corporation of Pointe-Saint-Charles, claims to have received “many complaints” related to the noise of the REM.
It’s just not normal that in 2023 a structuring project for citizens should make so much noise. We are in a quiet area, we hear nature and we care about it. Everyone is for public transit, but it can be done otherwise.
Anne Côté, resident of Pointe-Saint-Charles
Based in Pointe-Saint-Charles for almost 10 years, the Montrealer says she is used to dealing with the noise of trains, especially those of Canadian National (CN), except that these are “punctual and much less frequent”. “There, it’s really scary. We are talking about 20 hours a day, a service every two and a half minutes during peak hours. The noise would be continuous, ”she illustrates.
“Collecting by sound level meters”
Measures are coming, promises CDPQ Infra without however making a formal commitment. Its spokesperson, Emmanuelle Rouillard-Moreau, specifies that a “sound measurement campaign” will soon be launched in Pointe-Saint-Charles, Griffintown and L’Île-des-Sœurs, in order to carry out a “collection of noise data from sound level meters and to analyze them”.
Everything should be launched at the beginning of next week. “Following the analyses, we will be able to determine whether or not additional measures are necessary and the nature of these”, explains Ms.me Rouillard-Moreau, without going any further.
CDPQ Infra also assures in an e-mail to residents consulted by The Press that “detailed models” have already been carried out to “understand the sound impact of the passage of the REM”.
In Pointe-Saint-Charles, “the sound impact measured closest to the rails, i.e. the difference between the ambient noise and the noise with the passage of the REM, is not significant”, it is argued, adding nevertheless that the teams will ensure that the measures “at the source to reduce noise” are in place, including the “greasing of the tracks and the lubricant provided in the curves”.
Several options exist
Transport planning expert at the University of Montreal Pierre Barrieau reminds us that “several things can be done” to reduce noise.
“On vehicles, it can be extra maintenance, or even rubber parts to reduce vibrations and noise, or even extra oil on the tracks and wheels,” he says.
There are things that are also being done now at the level of acoustics, therefore with regard to the waves emitted by the vehicle itself.
Pierre Barrieau, transport planning expert at the University of Montreal
In his eyes, a noise barrier would not be the best option, especially because it would “block the view of users” on board trains, in addition to attracting vandalism. “What we often see elsewhere in the world are home soundproofing programs. It essentially consists of replacing the windows with two panes of glass with three-panel windows, or even installing additional insulation to help block noise,” continues Mr. Barrieau.
The latter recalls, however, that it will first be necessary to determine “if the noise generated by the REM really exceeds government standards”. “This is what the analysis figures will be able to tell us. The equipment is still being run in, so some noises may also disappear,” he concludes.
Learn more
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- 30 days
- Notice available to CDPQ Infra to inform transportation companies in Greater Montreal of the delivery of the first section of the REM. According to our information, CDPQ Infra has still not fulfilled this legal obligation, a little over a month before the delivery scheduled for June 21.