The REM train network in Montreal has faced multiple delays, with the completion date pushed back from 2023 to 2024 and now to 2025. The main reason for the delays has been the complexity of the work involved in getting the Mount Royal Tunnel ready for the new train network. The tunnel, described as the core of the REM network, is currently 82% complete. The modernization of this century-old, five-kilometer-long tunnel has presented a unique challenge for those involved in the project. Agustin Rey, the director of the Mount Royal Tunnel project, has been working tirelessly to manage the logistics of bringing people and materials in and out of the tunnel.
Various challenges have contributed to the delays in completing the tunnel work, including the discovery of undetonated explosives from the initial construction, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and supply chain issues. However, the current hurdle that the team faces is the logistical challenge of operating in a five-kilometer tunnel with only one entrance. Workers are on site 24/7, with 75 to 90 employees focusing solely on the logistics of transporting materials and personnel in and out of the tunnel. Any equipment breakdown or delay can result in significant lost time, adding to the overall delays in the project timeline.
The team working on the Mount Royal Tunnel project is proud of their recent accomplishment, which includes the completion of a 5,000-meter-long center wall to partition the tunnel’s two track lanes for safety purposes. The old Exo tracks that previously welcomed 60 trains per day have been replaced with new tracks to accommodate the eventual 500 daily REM trains. The team is now focused on installing electrical, telecommunication, and radio communication systems within the tunnel, which will require a total of 700 kilometers of cabling and numerous electrical components housed in drilled-out bays along the walls.
Originally, the team planned to complete the tunnel before commencing tests on the REM tracks leading to Deux-Montagnes and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. However, due to the delays in the tunnel construction, they have adjusted their strategy and will now conduct tests on the elevated tracks in those areas this summer. Despite the setbacks, the REM team remains optimistic about delivering the network by 2025, although they have refrained from providing a specific completion date. Jean-Philippe Pelletier, the REM west phase project director, acknowledges the challenges faced but emphasizes that they have made significant progress and are proud of their achievements thus far.
In conclusion, the REM train network in Montreal has faced delays in its completion date due to the complexity of modernizing the Mount Royal Tunnel and logistical challenges associated with the project. Despite setbacks caused by various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has made progress in completing essential tasks within the tunnel. With a focus on installing critical systems and conducting tests on REM tracks, the team is determined to deliver the network by 2025. While challenges remain, the dedication and hard work of those involved in the project have ensured that progress continues steadily toward the completion of Montreal’s REM train network.
