Friday, March 21, 2025
The Government of Quebec announced that the Eastern Structuring Project (PSE) will be the first to be entrusted to Mobilité Infra Québec (MIQ), when it is set up.
The “Tramway de l’Est” project, that will see the construction of 31 stations to connect Montreal’s east end to cities like Terrebonne and Repentigny, and will begin its preliminary stages of development this summer and the estimated cost will be $19-billion.
While waiting for Mobilité Infra Québec (MIQ) to be fully operational, the Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) will be responsible for launching the first stages of the project, which will be carried out in collaborative mode. Concretely, the ARTM will issue calls for tenders and work with experts in finance, law and engineering to supervise the project. It will then begin the process of identifying potential partners, in particular by publishing a call for interest this fall to gather market comments on the planned strategy.
These actions will be implemented over the coming months, allowing MIQ to take over as soon as it takes office.
“This is excellent news for our citizens in eastern Montreal and southern Lanaudière, who have been neglected for too long by previous governments. The eastern structuring project has always been a priority for us, and today, we are taking another important step by confirming that it will be the first mandate entrusted to Mobilité Infra Québec when it is set up! In the meantime, I want the project to continue moving forward, which is why I am asking the ARTM to continue working to ensure the eventual transition to MIQ, by soliciting private partners on the market this fall. This is a major project that must be carried out at the best cost, while respecting Quebecers’ ability to pay,” said Geneviève Guilbault, Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
“I am very pleased that our government is moving forward with the Eastern Structuring Project, one of our flagship commitments. In 2022, I committed to improving public transit in Repentigny , and today, we have taken a first step toward achieving this. Ultimately, the PSE will meet mobility needs by making it easier for Repentigny users to travel to the metropolis. This project is essential to revitalizing the Eastern and Northeastern parts of the metropolitan region while making living environments more attractive and appealing,” said Pascale Déry, Minister of Higher Education and Member of Parliament for Repentigny.
In May 2024, the ARTM submitted the final report which focused on the complementary analysis of the eastern structuring project to identify a lower-cost project proposal that meets the mobility needs of citizens in the eastern part of the metropolitan region.
“We now have a clear timeline and specific milestones that demonstrate that the Government of Quebec is fully committed to carrying out the structuring project in the East. Just over a month ago, I announced that this project would be accelerated by the end of the mandate, and the green light for the project announced today demonstrates the full collaboration between our administration and the Government of Quebec. We are mobilized to ensure that the project is carried out as quickly as possible in order to accelerate the economic development of the East, which will benefit the metropolis as well as the metropolitan region, and Quebec,” said Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal.
Bill No. 61 enacting the Act respecting Mobilité Infra Québec and amending certain provisions relating to public transport was assented to on December 5.
“Today marks a decisive turning point for mobility in Repentigny and throughout the eastern part of the metropolitan area. The PSE is becoming a reality, with a tramway that will serve our city and a terminus integrated into the redevelopment of our business park, a strategic asset for our economic growth and the quality of life of our citizens. We applaud the commitment of the Government of Quebec and the ARTM, whose work will lay a solid foundation for the realization of this major project. Repentigny is resolutely ready to welcome this progress that will strengthen our attractiveness and our connection to the metropolis,” said Nicolas Dufour , Mayor of Repentigny.
Mobilité Infra Québec’s main mission will be to carry out, when the government entrusts it with the responsibility, the opportunity analysis, planning or implementation of complex transport infrastructure projects.
“This is excellent news for the citizens of the eastern part of the metropolitan area that the government is giving the green light to Mobilité Infra Québec to carry out this highly anticipated project. The ARTM is delighted to continue the next stages of planning the structuring project in the east, which fits perfectly with our vision for the development of public transit: offering more sustainable, efficient and accessible mobility options,” said Benoît Gendron, general director of ARTM.
Featured image: (Government of Quebec)
