Port of Montreal receives federal money for rail optimization

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Transport Canada

The government of Canada is committing CA$18.4 million (US$14.6 million) to the Port of Montréal for a rail project that will enhance trade corridors and help move commercial goods to market.

“Our government is investing in Canada’s economy by making improvements to our trade and transportation corridors. We are supporting projects that will efficiently move commercial goods to market and people to their destinations, stimulate economic growth, create quality middle-class jobs, and ensure that Canada’s transportation networks remain competitive and efficient,” said Canada’s Minister of Transport Marc Garneau.

The Optimisation du réseau intermodal Project is a project of the Montréal Port Authority (MPA) in partnership with the Ministère des transports du Québec. Officials said this project will optimize the Port of Montréal’s rail network capacity, particularly in the port’s interchange zone. The work is expected to include relocating underground and above-ground infrastructure, relocating and constructing the port’s new road and building new rail lines. This work will eliminate bottlenecks, while increasing the flow of rail traffic and the Port of Montréal’s competitiveness.

The project to be funded will help the Port of Montréal maintain its level of operational excellence within the context of expected freight traffic growth. The port explained that the Canadian government’s financial assistance will allow for the installation of 6,000 meters (3.72 miles) of railway track and switches and carry out additional development work on its railway network.

“The government of Canada’s decision to grant this financial support to our project demonstrates its appreciation of the MPA and belief in its promising future,” Sylvie Vachon, president and CEO of MPA said. “It is with this assurance that we will continue our activities by developing infrastructure that will respond to the growing needs of our local, regional and national partners in the logistics chain.”

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