CDPQ Infra begins the information and consultation period of the BAPE process on the Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM) project

MONTRÉAL, July 28, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - CDPQ Infra, a subsidiary of La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, today begins an important stage in the environmental assessment process for its public transit project, the Réseau électrique métropolitain (REM): an information and consultation period for the project's Environmental Impact Study.

The REM is a new 67 km integrated public transit network designed to connect downtown Montréal, the South Shore, the West Island (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue), the North Shore (Deux-Montagnes) and the airport through a new, fully automated electric light rail transit (LRT) system.

To launch the information and consultation period, CDPQ Infra is publishing its Environmental Impact Study.

Because the study – which includes three addenda – comprises thousands of pages, and with a transparency objective in mind, CDPQ Infra has prepared several information documents summarizing the study to make the contents of the study more accessible:

• A summary report on the study which shows the project's evolution over the past few months;
• A shorter summary setting out the main elements; and
• Fact sheets showing the most recent changes in the project's route.

The process of refining the REM project is ongoing, with the aim of continuing to optimize many of its elements, step by step, including route efficiency, engineering and the environment. This continuing optimization process also allows CDPQ Infra to benefit from its close collaboration with various partners, including municipalities and public transit organizations.

The study, its addenda and the summary report are now available in the consultation centres set up by the BAPE in the areas that will be served by the REM. All the documents relating to the Environmental Impact Study are also available on the CDPQ Infra website.

CDPQ Infra has today presented an official request for a public hearing on the environment to the Ministre du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques. The hearing, which could begin in the coming weeks, will enable CDPQ Infra to present the project and its most recent updates to the general public. A second series of open houses would be held subsequently in the Fall, once the hearing process has been completed.

Documents available for consultation on the CDPQ Infra website:

• Environmental Impact Study Summary Report
• Summary of Environmental Impact Study
• Information fact Sheets (Alignment optimization)
• Environmental Impact Study and Addenda 1, 2 and 3

To follow the project on Twitter: @CDPQInfra

SOURCE CDPQ Infra

Jean-Vincent Lacroix, Media Relations Manager, Tel.: [phone], [email protected]