Canada’s deepest train station taking shape in Montreal

"The station will be accessible via five high-speed elevators that will travel the equivalent of a 20-storey building in less than 30 seconds," says REM contractor, CDPQ Infra.

From tracks being laid to trains being tested, many Montreal commuters have been been witnessing the progress being made on the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM).

But not all the work being done on the future electric train network is visible. Some of it is happening deep below ground.

That’s the case in Montreal’s Outremont borough where work is being carried out on the Édouard-Montpetit Station.

At 70 metres, it’s the deepest station in Canada, according to REM contractor, CDPQ Infra.

Emmanuelle Rouillard-Moreau, CDPQ Infra spokesperson, said it was necessary to build at that depth to reach the Mount-Royal tunnel where the REM station connects.

She added the work came with numerous challenges, not only because of the depth and the hardness of the Mount Royal bedrock, but because of its proximity to schools, homes and utilities.

“Rigorous measures were deployed at all times to ensure the safety of workers, the public and infrastructure,” she said.

Getting through the bedrock required blasting in such a way as to reduce vibrations and limit potential impact in surrounding areas.