This study was done to help the Government of Canada identify and understand options for a new transportation link between the Dorval Intermodal Hub and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. The study looked at how existing transit links and future transportation links could operate together to connect the hub and airport.
The study summarizes the technical analysis and lists the advantages and disadvantages of different options, including their ridership and costs. The study was done by the Joint Project Office, which operated from 2019-2022Footnote 1 as a joint venture between the Canada Infrastructure Bank and VIA Rail.
Background
The hub is located at the Dorval train station, roughly 1 kilometre south of Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
Upcoming investments in new infrastructure at the hub are expected to improve transportation links at Dorval by combining three separate stations (e.g., VIA Rail, Société de transport de Montréal, and Réseau de Transport Métropolitain) into a single intermodal hub. The improved Dorval Intermodal Hub will improve transit by integrating local buses, intercity rail and regional rail services. Moreover, it will be designed in a way so that future investments, like new transportation links, can be integrated into the hub without the need for substantial renovations.
The study focussed on identifying options to further expand connectivity in the future at Dorval and in the region by creating an improved link between the improved Dorval Intermodal Hub and the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
Possible solutions
The study examined four possible ways to connect the airport to the intermodal hub.
The first would involve improving existing services, while the other three would involve building new systems. The four possible options are:
- an improved on-road bus and/or shuttle service
- an automated people mover
- extending the Réseau Express Métropolitain light rail system, or
- a moving walkway
Conclusions
All four proposed solutions are reasonable options for the transportation link. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages including cost, capacity, and travel time. These advantages and disadvantages would have to be weighed by any future project proponent (project backer) and other stakeholders to determine the most effective solution for the region.
A high-level summary of estimated costs and ridership are provided in the tables below.
| Option | How would the link be built? | How would be station be built? | Infrastructure and station cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Automated people mover |
n/a |
n/a |
$135.7 million |
|
Extending light rail |
Drill and blast |
Cut and cover |
$303.3 million |
|
Extending light rail |
Existing tunnel-boring machine |
Drill and blast |
$378.0 million |
|
Extending light rail |
New tunnel-boring machine |
Cut and cover |
$265.3 million |
|
Bus |
n/a |
n/a |
$0.7 million |
|
Moving walkwayFootnote 3 |
n/a |
n/a |
>n/a |
| Method of transportation | Daily bi-directional Link passengers (2024) | % of total passengers going to airport |
|---|---|---|
|
Automated people mover |
4,900 |
29% |
|
Extending light rail |
10,100 |
5% |
|
Shuttle |
100-200 |
50-100% |
|
Bus |
4,200 |
47% |
|
Moving walkwayFootnote 6 |
n/a |
n/a |
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