Valérie Plante says she is ready to devote $ 500 million to the Eastern Metropolitan Express Network (REM) in order to finance the urban developments that will be necessary for the realization of this transport project. But the outgoing mayor urges the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) to continue studying underground options in the city center and in the axis of Sherbrooke Street East.
The establishment of the Eastern REM continues to worry citizens, believes the head of Projet Montréal. The construction of aerial structures in the east of the city center, along Notre-Dame Street and above Sherbrooke Street East is raising concerns among residents. Even if CDPQ Infra has ruled out the option of an underground REM over its entire length in the city center, Valérie Plante wants this scenario to be the subject of additional analyzes.
“The solution for the city center remains to be found. We have not yet seen the aerial model, ”argued Éric Alan Caldwell, Project Montreal candidate in the Hochelaga district. “We want studies to continue on the underground. We know that it is technically feasible and we are relying heavily on the work of the expert committee. The report of the experts appointed by CDPQ Infra has not yet presented its recommendations to this effect.
Last week, Press revealed that an expert report commissioned by the Borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve proposed an alternative scenario for the section located in the axis of Sherbrooke Street East. He suggested in particular that the REM be built underground under Sherbrooke Street East and that an intermodal station be set up at the Radisson station on the green metro line.
Projet Montréal says it wants an “exemplary integration” of the Eastern REM because, unlike the Western REM, it will be established in highly urbanized areas. “We want it to be an integrated project that is presented to the population, not a transport project that would be followed by a city project as happened in the REM 1.0,” says Mr. Caldwell.
Projet Montréal is also asking that the Eastern REM be extended to Rivière-des-Prairies, where the supply of transport is currently limited.
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