Mayor of Montreal announced on Monday that the city intends to resurrect the eastern extension of the REM rapid‑transit system in East Montreal. The declaration came during a press briefing held at city hall, where the mayor emphasized the municipality’s commitment to expanding the light‑rail network toward the eastern boroughs.
The mayor noted that $94 million has already been invested in feasibility and engineering studies for the project. Those studies, conducted over several years, examined route options, infrastructure requirements and potential ridership. The expenditure reflects the city’s prior planning efforts before the extension was put on hold.
The REM light‑rail network, which currently serves a broad swath of the island, originally included an eastern branch in its master plan. That branch was shelved in earlier years due to budgetary constraints and shifting priorities. With the new announcement, the city aims to reassess those earlier decisions and move forward with a renewed focus on connecting eastern neighborhoods to the broader rapid‑transit system.
City officials indicated that the next phase will involve reviewing the completed studies, consulting with provincial partners, and outlining a financing strategy. While no specific timeline was provided, the mayor stressed that the revival effort will proceed in coordination with existing REM operations to ensure seamless integration. The initiative is positioned as part of a broader strategy to improve public‑transport accessibility and support sustainable growth in East Montreal.
Stakeholders, including local community groups and transit advocates, have been invited to participate in upcoming workshops. The city plans to release further details on project scope and funding mechanisms later in the year, pending approval from relevant authorities.