Aecon Group and Pomerleau, through their joint venture Contrecoeur Terminal Constructors General Partnership (CTCGP), have reached financial close on the in-water works design-build contract for the Port of Montreal Expansion in Contrecœur, marking a major milestone in the delivery of one of Canada’s most significant marine infrastructure projects.
Valued at CAD $609 million, the contract concludes the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase that began in 2024 under a progressive design-build model, allowing the parties to collaboratively refine scope, cost, and design before entering the execution stage. CTCGP, held 60% by Pomerleau and 40% by Aecon, will now transition from the development phase to full-scale construction delivery.
Preparatory works and site mobilization are expected to commence shortly, with major marine construction activities scheduled to begin in 2026, subject to environmental and permitting approvals
The Contrecœur Terminal Expansion Project - Details
The Port of Montreal Contrecœur Expansion represents a transformative investment in Canada’s container handling capacity. Once completed, the new terminal will be capable of processing up to 1.15 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually—an increase of approximately 60% over the Port’s current throughput.
The project will establish the largest container terminal in Eastern Canada, reinforcing Montreal’s position as a key North American logistics and transshipment hub. The new facilities will integrate with major rail and highway networks, enabling efficient movement of goods for Canadian importers and exporters.
The terminal development includes:
Two new berths and container handling areas
An intermodal marshalling yard connected to the main rail network
A truck gate with direct highway access
Supporting facilities for port operations and maintenance
In-water works package - Aecon-Pormeleau JV Scope
The in-water works, led by CTCGP, encompass the core marine and marine-civil infrastructure underpinning the terminal expansion. Key scope elements include:
Dredging of approach channels
Construction of quays, apron slabs, and return walls
Installation of dock infrastructure and associated support works
Integration of marine utilities and systems with dockside logistics
These works form the foundation of the terminal’s operational footprint and are critical to enabling the port’s long-term growth strategy.
Progressive Design-Build as the Contracting Model
The project is being delivered under a progressive design-build (PDB) framework—a two-phase approach that emphasizes early collaboration between the owner, designers, and contractor to mitigate risks and improve cost certainty.
During the initial development phase, CTCGP worked alongside the Montreal Port Authority (MPA) to advance design, refine cost estimates, and finalize technical parameters. Achieving financial close signifies that the project has now reached a stage of sufficient design maturity and cost definition to secure funding and move forward with confidence.
The PDB model allows owners to make informed decisions before committing to major construction expenditures, promoting transparency and alignment across all delivery partners. This approach has become increasingly common in large-scale infrastructure projects in Canada for its effectiveness in balancing risk, schedule, and constructability.
Project Status and Leadership Remarks
Preparatory works—including grading, access road establishment, and site setup—are expected to continue through late 2025. Full marine construction will follow in 2026, pending regulatory clearance.
“Aecon is proud to be playing a key role in delivering the Port of Montreal Expansion – a major project that is leading the way in building a stronger economy,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aecon Group Inc. “Reaching financial close on the in-water works contract demonstrates the successful collaboration achieved during the development phase, and we look forward to working with the Montreal Port Authority and our partner to safely deliver this critical project.”
“Aecon is at the forefront of building complex civil infrastructure, and we are pleased to advance to the construction phase of this nation-building project that will support economic growth and international trade by providing increased terminal capacity,” added Thomas Clochard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Aecon Group Inc.
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