The Government of Canada's New Building Canada Plan is supporting projects that stimulate economic growth, job creation and productivity. To this end, the federal government is providing up to $43.7 million through the National Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund to optimize capacity at the Port of Montréal. The project has three components and is expected to be completed by 2018.
The Port of Montréal is the second-largest container port in Canada and the fifth largest on the east coast of North America. It is a strategic asset that benefits the entire Canadian economy. As the only container-handling port in Quebec and Ontario, one container in four handled in Canada passes through this key trading hub. In 2013 the Port of Montréal handled more than 1.4 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
Investments made from 2012 to 2014 made it possible for the Port to boost handling capacity to 1.7 million TEUs. The cost of these projects totalled $40 million, $15.1 million of which was provided by the federal government.
The Port of Montréal forecasts steady growth in its container cargo traffic over the coming years, mainly due to the new Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union (EU). The Port's location within eight transit days to the EU—the world's largest economic bloc—makes it a gateway of choice.
This project will help the Port leverage this new opportunity and significantly increase its competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency.
This project covers three critical areas: handling capacity of a container terminal, marine access and road access. The Port of Montréal must act on all three fronts at the same time to properly balance traffic flow and maintain effective operations.
The first component involves developing a container terminal in the Viau sector to increase the Port's handling capacity by 450,000 TEUs. Along with the extra capacity gained from projects previously completed, this new project will increase total handling capacity in the Viau sector to 600,000 TEUs, and the Port's total overall handling capacity from 1.7 to 2.1 million TEUs.
The second component will improve marine access. With the recent advent of new navigation technologies, new under-keel clearance requirements were introduced to optimize ship-loading. The pier approaches and pier berth foundations must be reviewed and adapted to accommodate larger vessels carrying heavier loads. This part of the project will allow the Port to safely increase ship-loading capacity.
The third component will improve the flow of trucks leaving the Port of Montréal to reduce intermittent traffic congestion. About 2,500 trucks currently pass through the Port of Montréal to load and/or unload goods daily.
Total anticipated project cost: $132 million
- First component: $75 million
- Second component: $24 million
- Third component: $21 million
- An additional $12 million will be set aside for unforeseen events
Maximum Government of Canada contribution: $43,666,667
Montréal Port Authority funding portion: $87,333,333
Since 2006, through Infrastructure Canada and Transport Canada, the Government of Canada has provided the Port of Montréal with $30 million for five other projects to increase capacity, improve security and traffic flow, and enhance the Port's efficiency and competitiveness.
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