Canada announces C$1.1B in funding for Quebec, Montreal transit projects

The Canadian government is investing more than C$1.1 billion to complete the Quebec City tramway and Montreal Metro Blue Line extension projects.

In 2019, the government contributed C$1.1 billion to the tramway project alone. Now, it has increased its contribution by C$332.3 million for a total federal contribution of over C$1.4 billion, government officials said this week in a Transport Canada press release.

The tramway project involves the construction of 11.8 miles of electric tramway line, as well as 29 accessible stations, five interchanges, two park-and-ride facilities, an operations and maintenance center, two control stations and a fleet of 30 cars. Vehicles will be hybrid powered by overhead contact line and batteries, government officials said.

Similarly, the government has committed C$1.3 billion to the Blue Line extension project. Now the government increasing that contribution by more than C$650 million for a total contribution of just over C$1.9 billion.

The Blue Line extension project calls for five new Metro stations in a tunnel spanning 3.7 miles, two bus terminals, an underground pedestrian tunnel, a mezzanine pedestrian link, and operational elements. The stations are scheduled to open in 2031. In addition, Canada will invest C$202.8 million in a new train control system for the entire Montreal Metro Blue Line.

Federal funding for these projects comes from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.