EXO confirms the start of work on the installation of two protection beams on Greene Avenue in Westmount, at the height of the railway viaduct. Although taking place in the metropolis, the project will improve the reliability and punctuality of trains, particularly those on the Vaudreuil-Hudson line, exo12.

Specifically, the beams will prevent trucks from hitting the viaduct, which currently causes many delays to exo trains. 

Although Greene Avenue is closed to trucking, it's not uncommon for trucks to try their luck and hit the railway viaduct, which is too low to allow them to pass. As soon as the viaduct is hit, rail traffic is halted until two inspections are completed: track and structural. This causes delays averaging 35 minutes per incident for the 3 busiest train lines on exo's network. The new protection system will eliminate one of the most significant causes of delay on our train network.

In addition to the installation of the protection beams, an impact prevention system will be put in place. Infrared sensors linked to variable message signs installed on the viaduct will inform oversized trucks that they are heading for an imminent impact with the protection beam.

Work began this week and will be completed by mid-January.There will be no impact on commuter train service. A partial hindrance for road users will be in place, with the closure of one lane at a time until mid-December, and the complete closure of both lanes for a single weekend in January 2024.

"The installation of the protection beams and prevention system will prevent numerous delays on the three busiest train lines in our commuter rail network.Our customers expect reliable, on-time service, and that's exactly what this protection system will enable us to improve" says Marc Rousseau, exo's Executive Director - Operations.