Why tunnel for several kilometers through sensitive wetlands to get to the airport when you could use the Turcot corridor

There's a specific answer to that question, actually.

The Caisse people said that when they were initially working on the route in 2015, they planned on going the obvious way. Unfortunately, the Turcot interchange construction project had begun, and the company in charge said they would not allow the REM to be built while the roadwork was ongoing. With a deadline of 2020(at least) for the interchange, it would have unacceptably delayed the entire transit project, because the airport station was the fundamental reason for doing the whole thing.

It's after that that the idea of through running the line and going around came up, which comes with all sorts of other advantages.

For example it's likely they the west island branch would not have happened if not for the airport route. But since they had to have a split, "might as well" go further, since a totally abandoned rail line was literally right there (the donney spur)

Oh, one more detail you may have missed. The route to the airport has changed.
upload_2018-2-12_13-47-59.png

They won't be doing a circuit around to come in from the south. Instead they are going to give up on the station under the US terminal and build a brand new station under the parking lot. A bit of a waste, but it means they are coming straight through, and more importantly means there's nothing stopping them from adding an extension later on southwards towards Dorval Rail station.

That's a great way to connect with VIA rail trains coming from QC ottawa and toronto(making it possible for them to easily fly out), but also greatly improving transit options for everyone living along the south edge of the island.
 

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There's a specific answer to that question, actually.

The Caisse people said that when they were initially working on the route in 2015, they planned on going the obvious way. Unfortunately, the Turcot interchange construction project had begun, and the company in charge said they would not allow the REM to be built while the roadwork was ongoing. With a deadline of 2020(at least) for the interchange, it would have unacceptably delayed the entire transit project, because the airport station was the fundamental reason for doing the whole thing.

Turcot construction will be finished in 2020. The REM will be operational by 2023. It's a bit bizarre that this project, the biggest since the metro opened and the first in over a decade, has such a sensitive timeline that means that it is preferable to permanently alter its route to prevent delays through staging. Worst case, couldn't it open in phases? There is more than enough work with the Deux-Montagnes and south shore branches to keep them busy until the Turcot work wraps up.

It's after that that the idea of through running the line and going around came up, which comes with all sorts of other advantages.

For example it's likely they the west island branch would not have happened if not for the airport route. But since they had to have a split, "might as well" go further, since a totally abandoned rail line was literally right there (the donney spur)

I thought that servicing the west island was already part of their mandate, which is why there were proposals like this:

airport-skytrain-600x340.png




Oh, one more detail you may have missed. The route to the airport has changed.
View attachment 134641
They won't be doing a circuit around to come in from the south. Instead they are going to give up on the station under the US terminal and build a brand new station under the parking lot. A bit of a waste, but it means they are coming straight through, and more importantly means there's nothing stopping them from adding an extension later on southwards towards Dorval Rail station.

That's a great way to connect with VIA rail trains coming from QC ottawa and toronto(making it possible for them to easily fly out), but also greatly improving transit options for everyone living along the south edge of the island.

Continuing to Dorval would be very useful! Especially if the Train de L'Ouest proposal ever is done. Even with the REM, I think that there is excellent value for money in improving the Vaudreil-Hudson line.
 

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