New Multimodal Transit Hub Set for Suburban Montreal

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A new transit hub in suburban Montreal aims to enhance connectivity between various transport systems, improving travel for local residents and airport passengers.

In a significant development for suburban Montreal, a new multimodal transit station is set to be constructed, designed to integrate multiple transportation systems including Via Rail, Exo, the city’s suburban commuter train service, and the STM bus network, alongside the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The project, which is still in the co-development phase, is expected to commence construction in the coming year and is projected to be completed by 2029. The station will be situated on the existing Exo station site, located just a few hundred feet to the west of Via's current train station. This area is separated by the Dorval Circle, a busy interchange that connects local highways to the airport and has been notorious for severe traffic congestion, often leading passengers to abandon their vehicles and walk to the terminal with their luggage.
The Exo station currently functions as an integrated hub, with a larger footprint than the Via station, which has been operational since 1888, originally serving the Grand Trunk Railway. There are no announced future plans for the site. The project was officially unveiled in August by the four development partners: Via Rail Canada, Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain, Exo, and Aéroports de Montréal. The partners have selected Omaha-based Kiewit, through its Laval, Quebec division, Construction Kiewit Cie, to lead the project, leveraging their extensive experience in both Montreal and U.S. transit infrastructure projects, including the East Side Access tunnel to New York City’s Grand Central Station.
The co-development process will involve detailed design work, identification of technical challenges, and the formulation of precise cost estimates, with Via Rail expected to cover the majority of the project's expenses. Following the official announcement on August 12, there was no response from the key stakeholders to requests for further media interviews. However, local officials are expressing optimism that the new transit hub will address several long-standing transportation challenges in the area, benefiting not only local residents but also those traveling from neighboring regions, including Ottawa and Kingston.
Dorval Mayor Marc Donet emphasized the importance of this project, describing it as a “big step” towards better integration of the two transportation terminals. He pointed out that the current transfer process is complex and inefficient, making it difficult for passengers to navigate between the airport and downtown Montreal. The new hub is expected to provide a more streamlined experience, allowing travelers from Kingston to easily access Montreal through Via Rail and connect directly to the airport.
Currently, a shuttle bus operates from Dorval’s Via station, but it is often caught in traffic, complicating travel for passengers. According to Via Rail, approximately 250,000 passengers pass through Dorval each year. The new hub aims to enhance transfer efficiency, reduce travel times, and provide a smoother travel experience overall. Mayor Donet noted that the municipality has been advocating for improved airport connectivity for years, with the upcoming light rail REM set to connect to the airport next year, primarily serving those to the north of the airport.
He highlighted the daily gridlock faced by drivers attempting to access the airport, which can lead to delays of up to 45 minutes just to enter the airport grounds. Furthermore, the mayor advocates for better connections to downtown Montreal, pointing out that the existing Via station may be demolished as part of the project, though future plans remain unclear. Clifford Lincoln, a former politician who has long fought for better train service to Montreal’s West Island, endorsed the new terminal, citing current airport congestion as a pressing issue. He believes that the hub will enhance train services, with Exo catering to the southern part of the West Island while the REM will serve the northern regions.
Rachelle Cournoyer, a representative from Citizens for a Better Dorval, expressed support for the coordination between Via Rail and Exo, anticipating that this will allow Exo passengers to utilize the shuttle bus service in the same manner as Via passengers. She also raised concerns about potential public consultations and the impact on parking availability at the Via station, which is heavily used by commuters traveling to Ottawa. With many civil servants relying on the Via Rail line, questions remain about whether the consolidation of the Via station with the new transit hub will lead to a loss of parking spaces for these users.

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