MONTREAL — The builder of Montreal’s light rail system says it will take measures to reduce operating noise following complaints from residents along the yet-to-open line.
CTV News reports that CDPQ Infra, contractor for the Réseau express métropolitain system, says it will install noise barriers and “sound absorbers” along the tracks, as well as grinding the rail to reduce squealing.
“We’re not satisfied with the current situation in many areas, and we’re already taking action to improve it as much as possible and provide a quality transport system,” CDPQ Infra wrote in a statement. “We have launched the design of additional noise barriers, will shortly be installing dynamic absorbers along 240 meters of the route to test their effectiveness, and have already pre-ordered others to cover all problem areas.”
CDPQ Infra — the construction arm of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the provincial pension fund that has driven development of the REM system — told French-language newspaper La Presse that the sound measures would not cause further delays to opening of the first portion of the light rail network.
That first segment, between Central Station and the South Shore community of Brossard, is expected to open later this summer [see “First portion of Montreal light rail network could open …,” Trains News Wire, June 27, 2023]. As part of final testing, trains are now running on their full schedule — every few minutes, 20 hours per day — but without passengers.
The Alstom Metropolis Saint-Laurent is a type of light metro train built by Alstom for the REM. Part of the Alstom Metropolis family, 106 two-car trains were built in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh in India. Trains will run as a single two-car train at quieter times, running as a four-car trainsets at rush hour.
Each two-car train seats 64, with standing capacity around 300. A four-car trainset can carry a maximum of 780 people at rush hour. The external livery is white, grey, and bright green, matching the REM logo.
Compared to the Azur trainsets of Alstom used on the Montreal Metro, the REM trains use steel wheels (rather than rubber tires).
The REM trainsets are also exposed to the weather, unlike the fully underground Metro.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Trainsets on the REM network will be fully automated and driverless, and it will become the fifth-longest automated transportation system in the world, after the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit, Kuala Lumpur Rapid KL, Vancouver SkyTrain, and Dubai Metro.
The first section between Brossard and Central Station is expected to open on 31 July 2023.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
This important REM system is a must for dear Montreal that always admires and imitates dear Paris.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
It’s not clear how impressive the REM system is. There have been a lot of controversial aspects about the design including the conversion of the Mount Royal tunnel to exclusive REM service. This permanently removed a heavy rail passenger link that connected Central station with lines just north of the mountain, I understand that HSR advocates in the province are concerned that connecting lines from Ontario into Central station with a proposed HSR line to Quebec City on the north shore of the St Lawrence becomes problematic.
Indeed.
Very impressive system. Montréal is always proactive, they are addressing a noise issue before the system is open to the public.
And in the meantime the roar of road traffic continues …..