Montreal Port Authority Kicks Off Major Phase of Contrecœur Expansion Project
📅 4 days ago
MONTREAL – The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has officially commenced in-water construction activities for its ambitious $2.3 billion Contrecœur Expansion Project. This significant milestone indicates the initiation of a crucial construction phase, following the preparatory work that has been ongoing since the fall of 2025, as detailed in a recent announcement. The announcement was celebrated by both Aecon and Pomerleau, members of the Contrecœur Terminal Constructors General Partnership.
In April, the federal government fast-tracked approval for this nation-building project, marking the beginning of work on what is anticipated to be a state-of-the-art container terminal. The current phase involves the construction of a working jetty alongside the terminal wharf and associated marine infrastructure. This jetty will serve as a vital access point for crews and heavy machinery, including a crane capable of lifting 300 tonnes, facilitating the installation of various components of the wharf.
Over the past several months, more than 250,000 tonnes of stone sourced from local quarries have been delivered to the site to aid in the construction of the jetty in the river and the fill required for the future wharf. An additional several thousand tonnes of stone are scheduled for delivery in the upcoming months. Recently, the delivery of sheet piles, which are critical for the wharf's construction, has also been completed.
Dredging activities are set to commence in 2027, with upcoming milestones including the delivery of steel casing piles currently being manufactured in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey, which is expected to begin today (August 17). Wharf construction is slated to start this fall, featuring the installation of a combined wall made up of steel casing piles and sheet piles.
This new construction phase follows extensive preparatory work, which included the installation of construction site fencing, development of access roads, construction of work platforms, targeted tree clearing, and the establishment of site offices and garages. Concurrently, environmental compensation measures related to local aquatic vegetation beds and wetlands are being implemented, and a forest habitat compensation plan, which encompasses reforestation efforts, has been successfully completed.
Looking ahead, the next phases of the project will involve finalizing the terminal design and solidifying the construction and operating agreement with DP World Canada. The land reserve for Contrecœur, located in an industrial zone, was acquired by the MPA over 30 years ago and is now being developed into a container terminal capable of handling 1.15 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2030, when it is projected to be fully operational. At full capacity, the terminal is expected to generate over 10,000 jobs annually and will feature two berths, a substantial container handling area, an intermodal rail yard linked to the main network, a truck gate connected to the road network, and additional support facilities.
In April, the Port of Montreal secured a $1.16 billion loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, complementing the joint development agreement signed with terminal operator DP World last September.
In April, the federal government fast-tracked approval for this nation-building project, marking the beginning of work on what is anticipated to be a state-of-the-art container terminal. The current phase involves the construction of a working jetty alongside the terminal wharf and associated marine infrastructure. This jetty will serve as a vital access point for crews and heavy machinery, including a crane capable of lifting 300 tonnes, facilitating the installation of various components of the wharf.
Over the past several months, more than 250,000 tonnes of stone sourced from local quarries have been delivered to the site to aid in the construction of the jetty in the river and the fill required for the future wharf. An additional several thousand tonnes of stone are scheduled for delivery in the upcoming months. Recently, the delivery of sheet piles, which are critical for the wharf's construction, has also been completed.
Dredging activities are set to commence in 2027, with upcoming milestones including the delivery of steel casing piles currently being manufactured in Saint-Félix-de-Kingsey, which is expected to begin today (August 17). Wharf construction is slated to start this fall, featuring the installation of a combined wall made up of steel casing piles and sheet piles.
This new construction phase follows extensive preparatory work, which included the installation of construction site fencing, development of access roads, construction of work platforms, targeted tree clearing, and the establishment of site offices and garages. Concurrently, environmental compensation measures related to local aquatic vegetation beds and wetlands are being implemented, and a forest habitat compensation plan, which encompasses reforestation efforts, has been successfully completed.
Looking ahead, the next phases of the project will involve finalizing the terminal design and solidifying the construction and operating agreement with DP World Canada. The land reserve for Contrecœur, located in an industrial zone, was acquired by the MPA over 30 years ago and is now being developed into a container terminal capable of handling 1.15 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) by 2030, when it is projected to be fully operational. At full capacity, the terminal is expected to generate over 10,000 jobs annually and will feature two berths, a substantial container handling area, an intermodal rail yard linked to the main network, a truck gate connected to the road network, and additional support facilities.
In April, the Port of Montreal secured a $1.16 billion loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, complementing the joint development agreement signed with terminal operator DP World last September.
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container terminal
job creation
marine construction
intermodal rail yard
Canada Infrastructure Bank
environmental compensation
Infrastructure
Contrecœur Expansion
Montreal Port Authority
Construction
