Press release
Strategic Forum on major transport infrastructure projects:
Many projects in the works to improve mobility in the city
Montréal, June 1, 2012 – Today the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal held the third edition of its Strategic Forum on major transport infrastructure projects with, in attendance, Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal, and Pierre Moreau, Minister of Transport for Québec, who joined the business luncheon that followed. Over 400 decision makers gathered to discuss progress in and important issues around major projects that will contribute to the city’s economic development in the coming years.
“The projects addressed during this Strategic Forum add up to over $25 billion in public and private investment,” says Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “We salute the diversity of projects presented today, which shows that transport is a metropolitan reality and that integrating the different modes of transport is needed to ensure the city’s economic development.”
“The new Azur metro cars, presented for the first time by Michel Labrecque, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), are excellent news for the city and the business community,” says Mr. Leblanc. “The increased capacity of 24% and greater reliability will improve the performance of our metro network, traffic on which has been increasing year in and year out. These new cars are among the many public transit projects planned for the metropolitan area that are central to the Agence métropolitaine de transport’s (AMT) Vision 2020. While we need to prioritize in a way that reflects our ability to pay, these new infrastructures will contribute to the fluidity of transport and the mobility of residents in the metropolitan area, both assurances of wealth creation.”
“The project to create the Logistic and Transportation Metropolitan Cluster of Montréal, presented by Sylvie Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montreal Port Authority, will bring together important players in the city’s transport industry,” says Mr. Leblanc. “This cluster will position the city as an international hub of transport and logistics. The partnership with the Ville de Montréal, illustrated by the Cité portuaire program, firmly fixes the port’s cardinal role in the city’s economy. The project to improve the port entries, which 2,500 trucks pass through every day, will provide for smoother circulation of merchandise and people by improving traffic on Notre-Dame St.”
“The many projects such as renovations to the Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine Bridge-Tunnel, the new Turcot Interchange and refurbishing the Bonaventure Expressway will help improve circulation in the metropolitan area for transporting people and merchandise,” says Mr. Leblanc. “Plus, the possibility of a shorter construction schedule for a new bridge over the St. Lawrence is great news for the business community, since this artery is important to international trade.”
“Electric vehicles were central to discussions,” says Mr. Leblanc. “The implementation of the Electric Circuit, with some 120 Hydro-Québec charging stations in the metropolitan area and in Québec City, is an example of promising innovation in the transport sector. Our expertise in electrifying vehicles can be seen with Bolloré’s Bluecar, the car chosen for the Autolib’ program in Paris, the battery of which was designed by Bathium, a company located in Boucherville.”
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
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Source:
Karine Abdel
Interim Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514-871-4000, extension 4015
kabdel@ccmm.qc.ca
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