The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) hails the Quebec government’s commitment to solidly support the marine industry by announcing an investment of more than $1.5 billion in the Quebec maritime strategy and for its intention to promote the implementation of logistics hubs.  For the MPA, concrete investments were announced: $75 million to improve direct road access to the port and $20 million towards the restoration of Alexandra Pier and the Iberville Passenger Terminal for cruise passengers. “For a port, the flow of transportation is a measure of efficiency and competitiveness. That makes optimizing road access mission-critical,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority. “In this budget, the government is providing investments that will make it possible for trucks to exit more efficiently to the upper road network and decongest the local road network. Besides, any logistics activity that makes shipping lines need to come to the port to pick up or deliver containers is a win for us.”   The government of Quebec’s involvement, through the provision of $20 million in the 2015-2016 budget, in the project to restore Alexandra Pier and the passenger terminal is an important milestone in carrying out this structuring project for the future of Montreal and the Quebec tourism industry.   “Having a new passenger terminal bolsters the development of the tourism industry and promotes major economic benefits and impacts for Montreal and the various levels of government, while giving citizens quality access to the river and creating an emblematic gateway worthy of Montreal,” added Ms. Vachon.   The Quebec government’s commitment is in addition to backing by the City of Montreal, which committed to a $15-million contribution when it filed its three-year capital works program for 2015-2017.  The MPA will continue to work on completing the financing structure, a necessary condition for optimal restoration of the passenger terminal.