Technical details
Client
VIA Rail Canada, Lemay
Dates

2022-2023

Missions
Assist VIA Rail in studying the possibility of an intermodal station in Dorval
Location
Canada
Activity
Technical assistance, preliminary study, basic design, conceptual design, preliminary design

VIA Rail Canada (VIA) operates Canada’s national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada. An independent Crown corporation established in 1977, VIA provides a safe, effective and environmentally responsible service from coast to coast in both official languages.

In its 2021 budget, the federal government proposed providing VIA $491.2M in funding over six years starting in 2021-22 for infrastructure investments that would support the overall success of the high frequency rail project. These investments will help reduce bottlenecks, improve fluidity and connectivity, and allow VIA to take an important step towards high frequency rail. With this in mind, the Montreal Mobility Modernization (MMM) program was created.

The program is divided into three projects identified by the Government of Canada and that VIA was mandated to complete:

  1. Eliminate two railway crossings in downtown Montreal;
  2. Improve sidings in the Butler sector to convert them into main tracks and build a freight train bypass;
  3. Build an intermodal station in Dorval.

The main project phases for building the Dorval intermodal station are:

  • Phase 1: Preliminary studies and concepts (used for an MoU with stakeholders);
  • Phase 2: Detailed studies and drafting of documents required for Phase 3;
  • Phase 3: Procurement;
  • Phase 4: Construction.

This mandate only applies to assistance in preliminary studies and concepts of the Dorval intermodal station (Phase 1) and of the station’s parking lots and access points.

SYSTRA Canada’s mandate included the following services and deliverables for the preliminary studies and design phase:

  • Review all documents made available by VIA;
  • Produce a diagnosis of mobility in the area while considering all major actors;
  • Create a technical and functional program prioritizing users and stakeholders;
  • Conduct a modelling study to determine current and future ridership of the Dorval station;
  • Coordinate all face-to-face and/or online meetings with VIA to review the project history and discuss any issues that may arise (requirements, ideas, options, etc.);
  • Assist in the implementation of scenarios for the new Dorval station, guided by the mobility diagnosis and the territory;
  • Attend meetings with partners and stakeholders to assess project needs, strategic positioning, and options;
  • Conduct site surveys as needed to support preliminary designs and assess options;
  • Produce and submit expert reports or recommendations as needed to support decision-making regarding project feasibility.