Monday, August 17, 2026
The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) announced the launch of in-water construction work at the site of its Contrecœur Expansion Project. In line with the project schedule, this new milestone officially marks the beginning of a major phase of construction and concludes the preparatory work carried out since fall 2025.
This new phase includes the construction of a working jetty, as well as the terminal wharf and its marine infrastructure. Dredging activities are scheduled to begin in 2027.
The Port of Montreal Contrecoeur Terminal is No. 78 on ReNew Canada’s 2026 Top100 Projects report.
“The start of in-water construction confirms that the expansion project is progressing according to plan. After several months of preparation and mobilization on site, we are reaching a major milestone in the construction of the future terminal. This achievement clearly demonstrates the project’s progress and brings us closer to commissioning a strategic infrastructure that will support business growth, strengthen supply chain resilience, and enhance Canada’s capacity to trade efficiently with international markets,” said Paul Bird, president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.
The first activities will involve the construction of a stone working jetty. This structure will provide crews and heavy equipment, including a crane with a lifting capacity of 300 tonnes, with access to the work zone for the installation of the various components of the wharf.
More than 250,000 tonnes of stone from local quarries have been progressively delivered to the site over the past several months to build the jetty in the river and the fill required for the future wharf. Several thousand additional tonnes of stone will be delivered in the coming months.
The delivery of sheet piles, a key component of the future wharf, was also completed in recent weeks.
Upcoming milestones include:
- Delivery of the steel casing piles currently being manufactured in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey, beginning August 17;
- Commencement of wharf construction this fall with the installation of a combined wall composed of steel casing piles and sheet piles.
The launch of this new phase follows several months of preparatory work, which included:
- Installation of construction site fencing;
- Development of access roads;
- Construction of work platforms;
- Targeted tree clearing;
- Installation of site offices and garages.
At the same time, the implementation of environmental compensation measures related to aquatic vegetation beds and wetlands is ongoing. The forest habitat compensation plan, including reforestation work, has been completed.
The project’s next phases will also include finalizing the terminal design, as well as the construction and operating agreement with DP World Canada.
“The work now underway in Contrecœur marks another important milestone in the expansion of the Port of Montréal, one of Canada’s most critical trade gateways. This project will increase capacity, strengthen supply chains, and help ensure the efficient movement of goods that Canadian businesses and consumers rely on every day. By investing in modern transportation infrastructure, we are supporting economic growth, creating opportunities for exporters and importers, and most importantly, building a more resilient and competitive Canadian economy,” said Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport.
All construction work is being carried out by the Constructeurs Terminal de Contrecœur Grand Projet (CTCGP) consortium, composed of Aecon and Pomerleau.
Featured image: (Aecon)
