Public transportation is one of the critical solutions to protecting the environment and the residents health. By reducing emissions in dense urban areas, public transit can help cities to reach air quality standards, and to decrease the hazards of poor air quality to their residents.
Economic benefits of public transit are another plus. It is often much cheaper than using the car, especially for short city journeys: no monthly car payments, parking charges, insurance, registration fees, scheduled maintenance and repairs. According to the government the project will draw 17,100 new users and result in 5,300 fewer cars on the road.
Back in July 2019, the Canadian government approved a $1.3 billion investment in the $4.5 billion expansion of the metro’s Blue line. The 5.8-kilometre extension will add five new Metro stations, linking the Saint-Michel station to the borough of Anjou in the east end of Montreal.
The five new stations will run along Jean-Talon street, at the intersections of the Pie-IX, Viau, Lacordaire, Langelier and the Galeries D’Anjou shopping mall. The five new stations are scheduled to open in 2026.
Preliminary timetable
- Early 2019: Begin designing plans and specifications
- Spring 2019: Approve implementation method, budget plan and project scope
- Summer 2019: Geotechnical study to collect rock data
- Early 2020: Submit business case and public consultation process to obtain by-law urban planning rules
- Spring 2020: Start preparatory work on certain sites
- 2021: Begin building new infrastructure
- 2026: Inaugurate the new line
The STM Wants Input From the Community
The STM wants input from the community and is inviting the public to participate in a two-step public consultation process between February 11 to March 4, 2020.
To register for a session or submit a written statement: http://www.stm.info/en/about/surveys/public-consultations/blue-line-extension
Information Evenings and Question Period
These are opportunities for participants to meet the project team and learn more about the different major steps structuring the STM’s approach in carrying out the project.
- Saint-Michel area – Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Hôtel Montréal Métropolitain at 3400 Crémazie Boulevard East - Saint-Léonard area – Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Leonardo da Vinci Center, Mirella and Lino Saputo Theatre at 8370 Lacordaire Boulevard - Anjou area – Tuesday February 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Studio danse 360 et un at 8600 Parkway Boulevard
Input Sessions
These are opportunities for community members to share comments, desires or concerns related to the Blue line extension. Participants may present their feedback in person or submit it in writing before the end of the consultation period on February 28.
- Saint-Michel area – Wednesday, Feburary 26, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Hôtel Montréal Métropolitain at 3400 Crémazie Boulevard East - Saint-Léonard area – Monday, March 2, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Leonardo da Vinci Center, Mirella and Lino Saputo Theatre at 8370 Lacordaire Boulevard - Anjou area – Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Studio danse 360 et un at 8600 Parkway Boulevard
Source: STM
Contracts for the Design the New Stations Have Been Awarded
In November, the STM awarded the contracts to design three of the five stations to the architectural firms Lemay Bisson Fortin Architectes for the Anjou and Pie-IX stations, while the firm ACDF Architecture was awarded the contract for Langelier station. The total value of the contracts is $4.38 million.
In January, the STM hired “Les Architectes FABG” for $807,000 to design Viau station while “STGM + Daoust Lestage Architectes will be responsible for Lacordaire station at a maximum cost of $1,256,500.