Barrier Planned for Problematic Montreal Overpass
A protective barrier will be installed on a Montreal viaduct that was struck by a truck this week, causing significant delays on the newly expanded Réseau express métropolitain (REM) light rail network. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning around 7 a.m., when a truck collided with the Marcel-Laurin viaduct.
Service Disruption and Historical Context
The collision forced a temporary suspension of train service across all 19 REM stations. While full service resumed later that morning, a shuttle bus was required to connect commuters between the Bois-Franc and Côte-de-Liesse stations until approximately 9 a.m.
This marked the first such incident for the REM, but the problem is far from new. Trucks have been colliding with the Marcel-Laurin underpass for years, dating back to the era of the Deux-Montagnes commuter train line. According to past Radio-Canada reports, at least seven trucks hit the viaduct between November 2017 and February 2018 alone, frequently causing service interruptions on the line.
The Solution: A Protective Metal Barrier
A spokesperson for CDPQ Infra, the owner and operator of the REM, confirmed to the Montreal Gazette that a solution is in the works. The company is currently fabricating a protective metal barrier designed to absorb the impact of vehicles colliding with the viaduct. The installation of this new structure is scheduled for this winter.
This will not be the first protective measure of its kind for the REM network. In September 2025, a similar barrier was installed under a bridge on du Tour Rd., just north of the Île-Bigras station.
Despite this setback and a separate issue with a stalled elevator at Édouard-Montpetit station on Monday, the launch week for the REM extension has been largely successful. The new branch, which began regular service on Monday, stretches from downtown to Deux-Montagnes, adding 14 new stations and over 30 kilometres to the light rail network. During its open-house weekend, an impressive 250,000 trips were taken as commuters enjoyed free train service.
The REM's initial five stations first opened at the end of July 2023 after two years of delays, connecting downtown Montreal to Brossard.
