Montreal's light rail project to require expropriations, affect water quality

Building a 67-kilometrelight-rail network in Montreal couldrequire expropriations, demolition of historic buildings and threaten several species, saidthe investment groupbehind the project.

ButCDPQInfra, a subsidiary oftheCaissededptet placement duQubec, also arguesits proposedlight-rail network will reduce traffic congestion and cut greenhousegas emissions.

On Thursday, CDPQInfra released its 2,000-pageenvironmental assessment ofthe project, which has been submitted to the provincial environmental reviewagency (better known by its French acronymBAPE).

The electric, fully automatedrail linewould connect 24 stationsstretching from the South Shore to Montreal'sTrudeauairport and theWest Island. It'sprojected tocost $5.5 billion.

The Caisse, through CDPQ Infra, has committed to funding $3 billion of the project. The federal and provincial government are expected to pick up the rest, though final financing details are still to be announced.

• Where would Montreal's 24 new light rail stations be located?

Pros and cons

In its report to theBAPE,CDPQInfra acknowledged the rail networkwill require the expropriation of around 30 homesalong the route.

It may also require a partially demolitionof theRodierheritage buildingin Montreal, and create "pressure" onParcdel'Anse--l'Orme, wheretheSainte-Anne-de-Bellevuestation will be built.

The report outlines the positive and negative impacts the project will have on its surroundings.

Among the listed positive effects include:

• Reduction in road congestion.
• Reduction in greenhouse gas emission and other air pollutants.
• Reduction in noise pollution from cars, busses and existing commuter trains.
• Economic benefits due to creation of jobs and increase in productivity.

The negative biological effects include:

• Possible contamination and decreased water quality in nearby bodies of water such as the Milles-les River, Rivire des Prairies and Peel Basin.
• Disturbances in fish, reptile and amphibian habitats near the airport, Technoparc and on the South Shore.
• Loss of habitats for brown grass snakes and noise disturbance.
• Removal of vegetation, prolonged sun exposure and possible swamp drainage in wetlands in Saint-Laurent, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and the South Shore.

45-day consultation period

With the tabling of theCDPQInfra report, members of the public now have 45 days to consult the document and request an audience if they have concerns.

The consortium has already made a request for a public hearing.

• Montreal's proposed light rail system misses mark, critics say

However, Environment Minister DavidHeurtelcan request that thehearingsbegin after the30th day of public consultation.

That measure would serve to accelerate the project in order to meet its deadline. It is supposed to be complete by 2020.

Those who want to consult the documents in their entirety can do so on the BAPE website.

• New light rail system for Montreal by 2020. Seriously?