Strong performance across multiple areas of the Envision sustainability framework

ISI is excited to announce that the Rehabilitation of Gare Lucien L’Allier in Montreal has earned the Envision Silver Rating for sustainable infrastructure. Owned by Exo, the public agency responsible for managing the commuter train, suburban bus, and paratransit networks in the Greater Montreal area, the project replaced four platforms that had reached the end of their service life, added an overhead canopy structure, and rehabilitated other infrastructure and systems, delivering a forward-looking facility that better addresses the needs of the community. With the Envision Silver designation, the project’s diverse and long-term sustainability achievements have been recognized and validated through an independent, thirty-party evaluation processed managed by ISI.

Quotes:

“Through this innovative project, exo is reiterating its commitment to a more sustainable and inclusive future while also reinforcing its belief that public transport projects can be forward-looking and affordable,” said Alexandre Eyquem, Senior Director, Asset Management & Operations, Exo.

“As an engineer and, above all, a member of this team, I am extremely proud to see this project achieve Envision Silver certification—one of the first of its kind in Quebec—a recognition that reflects our collective commitment, innovation, and technical excellence in delivering sustainable infrastructure that creates lasting positive impacts for our communities and the environment,” said Ian Olechnowicz, Partner and Senior Vice President, Buildings (Quebec and Atlantic), CIMA+.

“Congratulations to the entire project team on earning Envision Silver for the Gare Lucien L’Allier Project,” said Anthony Kane, President & CEO of ISI. “By delivering on the goals of improved accessibility, mobility, safety, and passenger experience, the revitalization of this important commuter hub within Montreal’s downtown core demonstrates strong leadership in the public transportation sector.”

Gare Lucien-L’Allier serves as the final downtown terminal for three exo commuter lines and offers transfers to the Metro and various bus routes managed by Société de transport de Montréal (STM). Located next to the Bell Centre, the largest indoor arena in Canada, the station serves approximately 2.4 million passengers each year. The project delivered new platforms and an overhead canopy structure, along with system upgrades to meet updated exo and accessibility standards. In addition, Track 6 was extended to improve operational flexibility and traffic flow, and two new emergency exits were added.

These facilities were designed and built with a planned service life of 40 years, requiring careful consideration of the project’s long-term sustainability as well as integration with adjacent infrastructure and systems within a dense urban environment.

Verified Sustainability Achievement

Improve Community Quality of Life and Public Safety – The new canopy significantly improves the customer experience, as the station previously had no shelter for passengers in transit. The project also goes beyond minimum health and safety improvements by voluntarily applying the NFPA 130 — the National Fire Prevention Association’s standard for fixed guideway transit and passenger rail, even though compliance is not mandatory. In addition, the landscaping features, fencing, and LED lighting help improve the safety and well-being of the surrounding environment by providing better illumination, reducing light pollution, and enhancing local air quality for pedestrians and station users.

Minimize Construction Impacts – The project team implemented a comprehensive plan to minimize construction impacts. Noise mitigation measures included the installation of Teflon components on equipment, relocation of noise-generating sources where possible, and elimination of night-time construction. Additional mitigation strategies included adjusting the direction of floodlights to prevent glare and modifying 11 light fixtures in response to community feedback.

Improve Access and Wayfinding – The project prioritized safe and intuitive navigation for all users, including persons with disabilities. The station is designed to be fully accessible and to facilitate efficient movement throughout the site. It incorporates a variety of wayfinding and accessibility features, including signage systems, color-coded references, universal design standards, universally recognized symbols, and safe access routes for all users.

Plan for Long-Term Monitoring and Maintenance –  Regular inspections, as-needed work, recommendation from the manufacturer or from exo, and post-inspection planning tasks will inform the evolution of the long-term monitoring and maintenance strategy. It is also noteworthy that one hundred percent of the platform structure was designed to be removable to allow maintenance and construction activities. Its prefabricated concrete slabs were sized to allow easy lifting and relocation. Similarly, the design facilitates access to exposed wood and steel, enabling periodic painting and treatment of these surfaces over the life of the project.

Reduce Construction Energy Consumption – A management plan was developed to guide the contractor in implementing reduction measures. One measure optimized logistics, reducing energy use in material transport by redirecting disposal materials to an alternative site compared to the baseline scenario. Another strategy targeted energy use in temporary facilities (lighting, HVAC, and plug in trailers and site offices). While generators are typically used for these needs for at least two weeks before grid connection, the project was connected to Hydro-Québec from the start, which substantially reduced purchased energy consumption.

Conduct a Lifecyle Economic Evaluation – The project evaluated multiple options, including reconstruction of the existing infrastructure (status quo), installation of heated platforms, and construction of a canopy, ultimately selecting the canopy option. The analysis considered initial capital investments, recurring operating and maintenance costs, snow removal, leasing costs, and mid-life rehabilitation costs. It also supported the selection of prefabricated concrete platforms over cast-in-place concrete, hybrid concrete, and interlocking paver slab alternatives. Design decisions were informed by a comprehensive lifecycle economic evaluation incorporating technical, socio-economic, and environmental perspectives.

Evaluate for Risks, Climate Impacts and Resilience – A comprehensive risk assessment examined the project itself, the interconnected infrastructure systems (rail network / road system / metro lines / Centre Bell building), and the broader community (City of Montreal). It considered natural, technological, and social risks to identify interdependencies and potential impacts of hazards. In addition, the report Analysis of Climate Vulnerability and Risks for the Lucien-L’Allier Station Platforms informed identification of risk areas and assets, assessment of climate vulnerability, and development of adaptation measures integrated into design, construction, and operations. A specific example of a climate adaptation measure was the selection of a high Solar Reflective Index white membrane in the canopy structure, which will help reduce urban heat island effects while strengthening climate resilience.