Rehabilitation project to improve rail capacity at Port of Montreal

Structural work on the Port of Montreal’s Pie-IX rail bridge has begun, with the rehabilitation project scheduled for completion in December 2025.

The project aims to ensure the long-term viability of the rail link, improve supply chain fluidity, increase rail capacity and optimize the flow of goods on the Port’s rail network.

Spanning Pie-IX Blvd. north of the Port Road, the Pie-IX railway bridge is a key infrastructure at the core of the Port of Montreal’s rail network. Currently comprising three rail tracks, the structure is under heavy strain to accommodate growing rail transport needs, and requires major work on its foundations and decks.

With a budget of $42.41 million, the project involves restoring the aging infrastructure, adding a fourth track to the structure to create a rail link that is 200 metres long and building three rail storage tracks for the Lantic sugar refinery. These three storage lanes will make it possible for Lantic to increase its sugar-car storage capacity and boost production to meet demand from companies in Quebec and Ontario.

“We are proud to invest in our infrastructure and make a vital commitment to strengthen our supply chain and ensure the sustainability of our facilities,” said Julie Gascon, president and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. “These investments will not only improve fluidity and service in our logistics network, but also support businesses and the logistics ecosystem to benefit all citizens in Quebec and the rest of Canada.”

Last March, the Government of Canada announced an investment of up to $16.75 million to the Montreal Port Authority for this project under the National Trade Corridors Fund.

Until November 2024, the Montreal Port Authority will be working on the bridge structure, such as building retaining walls, installing caisson piles, reinforcing existing abutments and installing anchors, followed by installing the new rail tracks on the Lantic site.