Montreal city officials announced on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, that the Martinez Ferrada administration is putting forward a plan to restart construction of the eastern segment of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) that was cancelled in May 2022.
The eastern portion of the REM was halted in 2022 after public opposition raised concerns about its social acceptability. The cancellation reflected the city’s assessment that the project did not have sufficient community support at that time.
The renewed proposal seeks to link the revived stretch to the existing metro Green line, creating a direct connection between the two rapid‑transit networks. City planners say the revised alignment could address the earlier concerns by offering an integrated service.
The administration says the new plan has been reshaped to improve social acceptance and to fit within the broader transit strategy for Montreal. Officials are reviewing technical and financial aspects while consulting with neighbourhood groups to gauge current sentiment.
If approved, the eastern REM segment would extend the rapid‑transit corridor toward the city’s eastern districts, complementing the Green line’s service area. The city has not released a detailed timeline or cost estimate for the revived portion.
The move marks the first official step by the current municipal government to revisit a project that was abandoned nearly four years ago. The city’s transportation department will continue to assess feasibility and public response before any construction begins.
The proposal comes as Montreal continues to expand its public‑transport network to meet growing demand. By potentially reconnecting the eastern REM to the Green line, officials hope to enhance connectivity across the metropolitan area while addressing the social concerns that led to the original cancellation.