Engineers hired by the City of Montreal have recommended that the aging Rosemont‑Van Horne viaduct be taken down and replaced with an underground passage that would run beneath the Canadian Pacific Railway line.
The recommendation follows a study commissioned by the city to examine the future of the deteriorating overpass. The engineers concluded that demolition of the existing structure and construction of a tunnel would provide a long‑term solution for the corridor.
The viaduct, which carries traffic over the CP rail line in the Rosemont‑Van Horne neighbourhood, has been identified as needing replacement due to its age and condition. The report does not propose repair or refurbishment, but instead suggests a complete removal of the bridge and the creation of a subterranean route to maintain connectivity while eliminating the overpass.
City officials have received the engineers’ report and will consider the findings as part of the next phase of planning for the area. The recommendation involves coordination with Canadian Pacific Railway, whose tracks run beneath the proposed tunnel.
No timeline or cost estimate has been released with the recommendation. The city’s decision‑making process will determine whether the demolition and tunnel project moves forward, and what further studies or approvals may be required before any construction can begin.
The move reflects the city’s broader effort to address aging infrastructure and to find sustainable alternatives for critical transport links in Montreal.
The study’s conclusions will be presented to municipal authorities for review, and any subsequent actions will be guided by the city’s infrastructure strategy and the requirements of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
The recommendation underscores the need for a definitive plan to replace the Rosemont‑Van Horne viaduct, which has been flagged as a priority in the city’s assessment of its transportation network.