Preparatory work for the construction of the REM station

During a visit organized with the contractor Connect Cité (EBC and Aecon), our team members involved in the design and site supervision of the airport REM station had the chance to see the impressive 43-metre-deep and up to 64-metre-wide excavation, within which the underground structure and a two-storey entrance hall will be built. Under the station, a major milestone was reached when the cutter joined the head of the Alice tunnel boring machine (TBM) and therefore the REM network currently under construction. Recall that the TBM ended its path under the runways to the north of the terminal a year ago.

The future REM station, the terminus of the A2 line that will connect the airport to the city, is positioned opposite the terminal, across from the arrivals and departures halls. From the platforms to the ceiling of the ticketing hall above, the station interior will be 49 metre high. Passengers will use elevators to reach the second floor of the hall, where a glazed footbridge will connect them to the airport.

Our firm has been working on the design of the station since 2017, first by developing and analyzing various configurations and studies to integrate the structure into the airport. Since 2020, we have developed the architectural identity in collaboration with Saucier+Perrotte and have executed construction drawings and specifications.

Start of construction on the second and final phase of the connection centre

The connection centre will finally be completed by the end of 2023. Having been halted during the pandemic, work had not yet been completed on part of the extension and on a section of the existing building that primarily houses walkways linking the centre to international and domestic wings. A solar wall will be installed on the south façade and “e-gates”—a new facial recognition technology—will be installed in the extension to streamline the passenger route, make circulation more fluid, and enhance security.

Work resumes on the P4 parking facility

The construction of the P4 parking facility has also resumed and is scheduled to be completed for the end of 2023. This project began in 2018, in consortium with Lemay, and is part of a broader plan to redevelop the infrastructure on the city side of the airport. It will add more than 2,250 parking spaces in the vicinity of the airport, to which it will be connected via a shuttle. Spread over four levels, the structure will have a footprint of 26,700 m² and a total surface area of over 100,000 m², which includes premises for car rental companies, waiting and assistance areas for users, and charging stations. It is interesting to note that the structure has been designed to be modifiable for other purposes—such as office space—after its use as a parking lot.

The project stands out for the high architectural quality of its perforated envelope, which allows for natural ventilation while protecting from the elements. Extensive research was carried out for this pilot project, resulting in innovative solutions that could be incorporated into future installations. These include several features of sustainable design, such as a green roof, “maintenance-free” landscaping, photovoltaic panels, and an automated management system to direct motorists. We are working to secure Envision Silver certification for the project.