The closure of the Mount Royal tunnel and work on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM), Montreal’s upcoming light rail network, have been postponed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
CDPQ Infra, the principal contractor for the project, said in a statement on Tuesday that the decision comes on the heels of the Quebec government’s sweeping measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. “Following the latest directives from the Quebec government, all the REM worksites will cease operations until April 14 to ensure the health and safety of all,” the company said. “We ensure a systematic and sustained monitoring of the situation with the relevant authorities.” As part of the plan, trains will still run through the Mount Royal tunnel.