Direct road links between downtown and Montréal International Airport now open to traffic

DORVAL, QC, Dec. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - Safe efficient road networks are key to maintaining economic productivity and a high quality of life for all Quebeckers. The governments of Canada and Quebec are investing in transportation infrastructure throughout the province to improve the flow of goods and support the growth of the middle class.

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, accompanied by François Ouimet, Member of the National Assembly for Marquette; Edgar Rouleau, Mayor of Dorval; and Philippe Rainville, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aéroports de Montréal, unveiled the second link directly connecting Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to Highway 20 from downtown. This is part of the broader Dorval Interchange Project.

This work is highly anticipated by the 150,000 drivers who use the Dorval roundabout every day and, more specifically, the 15,000 drivers who use both road links every day. The second road link will open over the night of December 18. The opening, paired with the opening in late November of the first road link from the airport to downtown, is a major step forward in the redesign of the Dorval Interchange.

Initiated in May 2016, this important phase of the project required the collaboration of Quebec's Department of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification and its partners, the Government of Canada, the City of Montréal, Aéroports de Montréal, the City of Dorval, as well as the railway companies, CN and CP.

The redesigned interchange at the junction of highways 20 and 520 will improve traffic flow and accessibility for local and public transit traffic, including traffic originating from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. This project will also improve road and pedestrian safety.

Quotes

"We are thrilled to mark the opening of the road links as part of the redesigned Dorval Interchange, a key piece of transportation infrastructure in the metropolitan area. Because it is strategically positioned close to several major arteries, the interchange will improve the quality of life of residents by simplifying their commutes. The Government of Canada recognizes how important having modern efficient roads is to promoting user safety, facilitating the transportation of goods and services, and creating well-paid middle-class jobs."

Marc Miller, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"I am pleased to celebrate the opening of the road links, which marks a turning point for Dorval residents. The interchange will greatly improve traffic flow while supporting sustained economic growth and productivity for many years."

Anju Dhillon, Member of the Parliament for Dorval‒Lachine‒LaSalle

"The commissioning of these direct links between the Montréal Airport and the downtown area confirms the importance given by the Government of Quebec to users' mobility. Through these direct links, we want to improve travel times and facilitate mobility."

André Fortin, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification

"The opening of both direct road links is a big step for Dorval residents. It ensures efficiency and simplicity for everyone, but above all for the local network, which will be less congested. Residents have waited a long time for this project to be completed and I want to thank them for their patience."

François Ouimet, Member of the National Assembly for Marquette

"Every year, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport welcomes millions of travellers looking to discover Montréal. Thousands of Montréalers also transit through it each year. Thanks to the new link that has been inaugurated today, it will be easier for everyone to travel between the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and downtown to enjoy all that Montréal has to offer. Mobility is essential to Montreal's economic, social and cultural development. The completion of the road links between downtown and the airport will improve the fluidity in the city's nerve centre until a structuring public transit project is built."

Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal

"This important opening is great news for Dorval residents and all residents of the West Island. This direct link between the airport and Highway 20 is now helping reduce traffic at the Dorval roundabout and Côte-de-Liesse, which is a clear improvement for those who have to travel in the area every day."

Edgar Rouleau, Mayor of Dorval

"We are delighted to finally be directly connected to Highway 20. Montréal-Trudeau is experiencing a marked increase in the number of passengers, and easy road access is crucial in the airport sector. Passengers, airport employees, taxi drivers and other users will finally be able to enjoy improved traffic flow on our roads."

Philippe Rainville, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aéroports de Montréal

Quick Facts

• This project received a $55-million contribution from the Government of Canada and $240.6 million from the Government of Quebec. The contribution of the City of Montréal is $40 million, while that of Aéroports de Montréal is $8.6 million.
• Other work as part of the Dorval Interchange redesign will continue through to late 2019 and will end with landscaping.
• The Government of Canada will invest more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• More than $10.1 billion of this funding will support trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion that will be available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• The 2017-2027 Quebec Infrastructure Plan (QIP) provides for public infrastructure investments totalling $91.1 billion, a $2.4 billion increase compared with the previous QIP. Of this amount, nearly $18 billion in funding has been planned for the province's road network.

Associated links

Government of Canada's $180-billion+ infrastructure plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html

Smart Cities Challenge: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cities-villes-eng.html

Federal investments in infrastructure projects in Quebec:
http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map-carte/index-eng.html  

For more information on Quebec's government priorities regarding public infrastructure, consult the Quebec Infrastructure Plan at:
https://www.tresor.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/PDF/budget_depenses/17-18/infrastructuresPubliquesQuebec.pdf

For more information on the Dorval Interchange redesign, consult the project's webpage on the site of the Quebec Department of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification.

Twitter: @INFC_eng

Website: Infrastructure Canada

SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

Contacts: Brook Simpson, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Tel.: [phone]; Marie-Pier Richard, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, Tel: [phone]; For information: Infrastructure Canada, Tel.: [phone], Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Media Relations, Communications Branch, Quebec Department of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification, Tel.: [phone], Montréal: 514-873-5600, Toll-free: 1-866-341-5724

Related Links

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/