Montréal, April 22, 2016 ‒ The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is delighted with the announced CDPQ Infra integrated public transit network project. It will create an automated, electric light rail transit (LRT) system that will connect downtown Montréal, Montréal-Trudeau Airport, the South Shore via the new Champlain Bridge, the North Shore and the West Island.
“The Board of Trade congratulates CDPQ Infra for its diligent, rapid efforts,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “This is an ambitious project that meets the needs of the business community and that could benefit the entire population of Greater Montréal. The Board of Trade is pleased that CDPQ Infra has chosen a high-performance, reliable, rapid and modern system. Having fully electric tracks avoids the problems that arose with previous projects. The decision to do everything electrically responds to environmental concerns and uses one of our greatest strategic resources: clean energy.”
“The decision to combine two projects in one to ensure more fluid travel is excellent news,” Michel Leblanc said. “As we so often repeat, traffic in Greater Montréal has a negative impact on our attractiveness and productivity. The LRT will significantly increase the number of people who travel the key link between the South Shore and downtown by public transit, reducing the number of cars on the road.”
“The project will meet a clearly expressed need: improving access to the airport and West Island communities,” Mr. Leblanc said. “Having two tracks will also make it easier to cross downtown heading to the northern part of the Island of Montréal and the airport, without requiring passengers to make a modal shift at Central Station. Plus we believe that the frequency, extended service hours and affordable rate will ensure that the business community uses the new system, particularly to get to the airport.”
“The financial structure for the project and the prospect of stable, long-term returns make us optimistic that the project will go ahead,” Michel Leblanc said. “The Board of Trade will take part in consultations about the project and support requests for financing from the federal and provincial governments.”
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration, and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to businesses of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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Source:
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4042
gberube@ccmm.qc.ca
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