Public consultations begin on new, improved Vendme Metro project

TheSocit de transport de Montral(STM) will begin public consultations Tuesday evening on the planned $76.5-million renovation of Vendme Metro station.

The project will see the addition of a new, accessible entrance including an elevator anda pedestrian corridor linking the station to the commuter train platforms and the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC).

The issueof pedestrian access between VendmeMetro stationand the MUHC's Glen sitehas been a contentious one since the superhospital's construction.

Initially, there was no plan for a link between the MUHC and the nearest Metro station.

After an uproar, a temporary tunnel was built, but it cameundercriticismfor stopping a few hundred metres short of the entrance of the hospital, forcing pedestriansto walk outside for the remaining 200 metresto access the hospital.

The planned addition of an elevator to Vendme stationbrings the STM one step closer to its goal of having 31 fully accessible stations by 2022.

In October 2016, the STM's chairman, Philippe Schnobb, told CBC the goal is to make the entire network accessible by 2038.

STM project manager Maha Cloursaid that the elevatorwill make a big difference for people with limited mobility.

"They will be able to access the Metro station, they will be able to access the train station, and they will be able to access the MUHC," Clour said.

Constructionis expected to run fromthe fall of 2017 untilthe winter of 2020.

"We do understand that there's been a lot of construction in that area over the last few years," said Clour. "So the STM wants to listen to our clientele, listen to the residents and incorporate their preoccupations into our planning."

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'An elegant solution'

Cte-des-NeigesNtre-Dame-de-GraceCoun. PeterMcQueentold CBC he's "very happy" with the STM's plan, calling it "an elegant solution."

McQueen said at first, he was concerned about the construction project affecting traffic, bus routes and the bike path that runs along de MaisonneuveBoulevard West.

However, hesaid, the plan is to begin tearing up the east side first, which he believes will have less of an impact on traffic flow and will make for "a much safer and cleaner construction site."

"I congratulate them on finally coming through with a very good proposal."

During the construction, the Metro's Orange line will continue to stop at Vendme station and the bus routes that currently use the station will also continue to do so.

'Technically difficult'

Pierre Major, the associate director of planning andproject management at the MUHC, told CBC that this project goes beyond the need to connect the Metro to the hospital.

"At $75 million, this is a connection to the MUHC, but it's also addressing many transport issues with that public transit hub," he said.

Major said that the planning required a lot of time and effort.

"It is very technically difficult because of the proximity of the Metro tunnel and the tracks and the bus lanes and now, the presence of the hospital," he said.

• New $76.5M Vendme entrance gets public consultation Tuesday

Tuesday's consultation will begin at 6:30 p.m. at theMUHC'sResearch Institute (1001DcarieBoulevard, Block E, Room E.S1-1129).