The planned major work on Lucien-L'Allier train station will finally begin on April 1st. The extensive project will result in the closure of the terminus of three major commuter trains in downtown Montreal for six to 12 months.
Published at 1:00 p.m.
The exo-carrier, responsible for the commuter train network in the Greater Montreal area, confirmed this on Wednesday, saying it is aware of the upheaval in habits that this will entail for users.
The project, estimated at $69 million in the latest Exo budget, essentially aims to rebuild the station's four platforms, which have reached the end of their useful life. We also plan to add a roof and skylights to the platforms to protect customers from rain and bad weather. Finally, emergency exits are also installed to improve the safety of the premises.
“We are bringing the station into the 21st century. This is really work that will be worthwhile,” says the organization’s spokesman, Eric Edström.
It was time to intervene since the last major renovation work on the platforms of Lucien-L'Allier station was carried out almost 50 years ago, at the time of the Montreal Olympics in 1976. “An obstacle” to the quality of service due to “always “more frequent” repairs, the organization said.
Big impact
Whoever says it works says it impacts service. In fact, the construction site will result in several “stage” closures until spring 2025, forcing route changes for users.
First, starting April 1, users of line 11-Vaudreuil-Hudson – the busiest on the network – will not be able to get on or off at Lucien-L'Allier station for about six months. For lines 12-Saint-Jérôme and 14-Candiac, the closure will be extended for a full year.
In short, trains on lines 11 and 14 stop at Vendôme station, from where users can have a connection to Vendôme station on the Orange Line of the Montreal Metro. Line 12 will stop in particular at Parc station, from where a connection to the blue line metro station of the same name will be possible.
However, the airline states that “certain trains on line 12-Saint-Jérôme will continue their journey to Montréal-Ouest station in order to continue to provide access to students and workers in this sector.” There is no subway from this station -Connections available.
The general director of exo, Sylvain Yelle, claims that he has chosen “the scenario that limits as much as possible the impact on local residents and users while ensuring sound management of public funds.”
More users on the subway
Agents will be on site in the coming weeks to prepare users for the changes. “We have also spoken to the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), as we know that there will be a certain number of additional users who will use the subway,” assures Mr. Edström.
Normally around 7,000 users travel to Lucien-L'Allier station every day. If the situation requires it, Exo does not rule out the use of other mitigation measures, such as shuttles. “We will continue to assess the situation and see if adjustments need to be made, but for now we are relying on the infrastructures that are already in place.” We also know that with teleworking habits have changed, but we will “We'll definitely watch it closely,” the speaker concludes.
He reiterates that his group preferred to carry out the work over a year “rather than just closing at night, which would have resulted in a much longer construction site and significant inconvenience to local residents”.
The ticket office at Lucien-L'Allier station will remain closed for the duration of the work, but the ticket machines will still be accessible. However, to receive a personalized service, you must go to Parc or Vendôme train stations. Ultimately, access to the Bell Center will remain possible throughout the entire duration of the project.