The CDPQ Infra claims to have heard the criticisms. She presented new sketches for her Eastern REM project on Tuesday, saying it addresses concerns about aesthetics and quality of life.
“V” column, urban promenade, reduced width, noise barrier; everything is done so that the infrastructures can be integrated into the urban landscape, assured the CDPQ Infra.
• Read also: Concerns on the side of Exo on the arrival of the REM
• Read also: Montreal wants a wireless REM
• Read also: REM: discussions to integrate Montreal into the decision-making process
The latter had invited two journalists from Quebecor, including the author of these lines, to its offices in order to make a “progress report” of the project and to lift the veil on the latest developments.
In these last plans presented, the concrete still retains an important place, while it will be used to design the pillars and the shell supporting the rails.
“The basic premise is that people feel that steel structures are more visually interesting. The truth is that this is not the case,” explained Christian Ducharme, Vice-President, Engineering for CDPQ Infra.
On the contrary, the CDPQ considers concrete to be “more aesthetic”, with its ability to absorb vibrations, to require less thickness, and the possibility of giving curves to the structure.
The imposing pillars will thus have a V-shape, which will be declined in different forms under the infrastructure in a “dance of the columns”, in order to “reduce the perception of repetitiveness”.
The CDPQ also said it was well aware that the inevitable graffiti artists will come to leave their mark. “We must not put our heads in the sand,” admitted Jean-Marc Arbaud, President and CEO of CDPQ Infra. The solution found to this problem will be to coat the structure with a coating in order to make it easily cleanable.
There was also concern about wiring to bring electricity to trains. Inevitable due to the winter climate, the presence of catenaries has been taken into account so that they become part of the “architectural language”. These will be arranged in an arch shape above the rails. “Rather than having a column in the center of the tracks, they become integral to the work,” summarized Mr. Ducharme.
Noise barriers ranging from two to four meters in height will also be installed along the tracks.
Surprised in the project presented, the CDPQ indicates that it will use its right-of-way to create a “promenade” from west to east with a length of 16 kilometers. This will allow the installation of a pedestrian corridor and the development of Réseau express vélo (REV) trails. Several mini public squares are also planned.
“The idea is to reason with what is around and to be linked to that to give back the space, today dedicated to the automobile, to active life,” summed up Mr. Ducharme.
“With the arrival of the REM, it takes new infrastructure, such as bike paths, so we put them on the plans to ensure that it is an integral part of the street layout,” he added. .
The future stations have been divided between 12 zones, each with its own specific type of development in order to facilitate urban integration. At Morgan Park, for example, the CDPQ wants to create a “hill”, which will reduce noise from the highway. In Saint-Léonard, there are plans to create a public square and real estate development projects near the Couture station.
“That’s the reflection we do for each of the places, underlined Mr. Ducharme. We have a dialogue with each of the boroughs to see what their priorities are.”
CDPQ Infra will officially present its updated plans on Thursday, during a public virtual meeting.
“To carry out projects of this type, it takes an alignment of all the stakeholders, otherwise the project cannot be carried out,” warned Mr. Arbaud, who hopes to be able to convince the skeptics.
Reference-www.tvanouvelles.ca