Summary#
Montréal city council approved a change to the funding source for the Querbes underpass wall repairs in Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension. The repair contract had already been awarded to Construction Demathieu & Bard (CDB) inc. in January 2026; the September decision changes its funding source but does not name the new source. City staff say the project’s goal is to repair the walls and improve the safety, function and accessibility of the underpass.
- The council’s latest decision authorizes changing the funding source for the project. It does not state what the new source is.
- The earlier award to CDB covers repairs to four retaining walls, lighting and road work, changes to nearby lanes and intersections, and changes to the railway crossing approaches for universal accessibility.
- CDB was the lowest compliant bidder in a public call for tenders. Three compliant bids were received.
- The earlier decision also authorized a separate, direct-award contract to Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) for railway signalling services and technical assistance during the work. It required an evaluation of CDB’s performance.
What it means for you#
- People travelling through the area: The planned work affects the Querbes underpass and nearby parts of boulevard Crémazie Ouest. The project plan includes removing pedestrian sidewalks beside the four walls and changing nearby road layouts. The materials do not give a detailed traffic or pedestrian access plan.
- City taxpayers: The council has authorized changing how the project is funded. The materials do not identify the new source or explain how the change affects other city spending.
- Contractors: CDB’s contract includes a delay penalty of $13,727.10 per day, according to the decision summary. The contract has no completion bonus.
Money#
The latest decision authorizes a funding-source change, but the supplied materials do not state the new source or its allocation.
- The earlier authorization set the CDB contract at $20,067,967.56, taxes included, plus $3,010,195.13 for contingencies and $1,663,239.95 for incidental expenses: $24,741,402.64 in total, including taxes, contingencies and incidentals.
- The CPKC contract is for up to $508,656.47, taxes included, and is included in the incidental expenses above.
- The CDB contract was 4.31% below the city’s estimate. The second-lowest compliant bid was 7.57% above CDB’s bid.
- The planned work period was March 2026 to November 2027. The materials do not provide a revised project total after the funding-source change.
What is unclear#
- Which funding source will now pay for the work, and whether the change affects other planned spending.
- Whether the funding change alters the timing or delivery of the project.
- How pedestrians, cyclists and drivers will be routed during construction.
- The decision summary lists later technical assistance and construction monitoring, but does not give a cost for monitoring.
Case for#
- City staff say the walls have not had major repairs since they were built in 1957 and have defects requiring major repairs.
- Staff say the work is intended to support the underpass’s function and safety, extend the structures’ useful life, improve lighting and allow universal access at the railway crossing.
- The lowest compliant bid was below the city’s estimate, and the council authorized contingencies and delay penalties as part of the contract.
Case against#
- The new funding source is not identified, so the public cannot assess what other city priorities may be affected.
- Only three compliant bids were received. The decision summary says 15 of 18 firms that obtained the tender documents did not submit a bid; some cited timing, full order books or night work, while others gave no reason.
- The materials describe the project’s planned work, but do not set out a detailed plan for maintaining pedestrian and road access during construction.