Quartier des lumières: A Breath of Fresh Air for Montreal

The Quartier des lumières construction project, located east of downtown Montreal on the former Radio-Canada site, is an ambitious initiative to transform this iconic space into a vibrant, modern, and inclusive neighborhood. Pomerleau will complete an initial construction management mandate for demolition, backfilling, infrastructure, and landscaping for phase 1 of the site. Subsequent phases will include the construction of more than 2,500 residential units, a variety of workspaces, and local shops and services. 

An inclusive and dynamic neighborhood 

Montreal's Quartier des lumières will stand out for its diversity, with more than 2,500 residential units, including 481 social housing units and 245 affordable housing units, promoting inclusion and diversity. The neighborhood will also offer innovative workspaces, ranging from conventional offices to collaborative studios. Residents will benefit from a school, green spaces, and lively promenades. Finally, they will have access to a multitude of local shops and services, such as retail stores, food markets, and restaurants, all located within walking distance of their homes.  

A strong commitment to sustainable development

The project is aiming for LEED certification and incorporates best practices in sustainable development. It includes parks, pedestrian walkways, bike paths, and a rigorous waste management strategy. 

From the planning stage, Pomerleau worked with its partners, including Delsan and client MACH, to integrate a material recovery approach. The demolition of the former Maison de Radio-Canada, one of the largest demolition projects in Montreal's history, is generating more than 300,000 tons of concrete, nearly half of which will be reused on site for backfill. A crusher is installed directly on the site to process the concrete on site.  

Concrete, which accounts for the largest volume of materials, is also one of the easiest to process. In addition to concrete, steel is recovered, melted down and reused, with a recovery rate of 100%. 

Sorting at source also makes it possible to recover other materials such as steel (100% recovered), wood, non-ferrous metals (e.g., aluminum window frames), and dry materials. To date, approximately 70% of the total mass of materials from the demolition of the Quartier des Lumières has been recovered. 

To learn more about the management and processing of waste from this construction site, read this article from CBC/Radio-Canada (french only).

Logistical challenges overcome 

Managing material flows is a major logistical challenge for this large-scale project. Pomerleau will implement rigorous coordination of truck arrivals and departures, with more than 100 trucks per day at the peak of the project. The company will work closely with the City of Montreal and neighboring contractors to ensure smooth traffic flow and efficient progress of the work.     

Key figures and impact of the project 

The Quartier des lumières project will involve more than 60 workers for demolition and will require the transport of more than 210,000 m³ of fill. This ambitious project will transform an iconic Montreal site into a dynamic and sustainable neighborhood, creating new affordable, quality housing, developing an attractive economic and social hub, and contributing to the revitalization of the city's east end.