Bellechasse bus garage

The work announced involves:

• Demolishing the poor-quality rock on the ledge and the rock behind the tunnel
• Applying a bituminous membrane and spraying concrete on the exposed solid rock so as to protect it
• Installing a compressible matt to absorb potential swelling of the rock (pyrite)
• Installing a protective membrane and wall to protect the rock left in place; formwork to be dropped and membrane work to be modified
• Reconstructing the ledge (formwork, reinforcement, and concrete work)
• Drilling and installing anchors adapted to each situation

 A monitoring plan for the temporary support infrastructure was also quickly implemented and will be in place until the corrective work is complete. The situation at and around the worksite is stable and safe, both for people and for nearby buildings.

No, the bus garage was built as planned, reaching a maximum height of 13 metres near Van Horne Viaduct. The steel structure may seem massive right now, but once the green space has been fully integrated, the bus garage will blend in well with the neighbourhood.

Unlike the first phase of the work, where a single contractor was responsible for the excavation, the current work requires contracts with about sixty contractors who, in turn, have several suppliers of their own. Please note that the general contractor’s equipment, which stays on the worksite permanently, uses a low-noise alarm to limit the noise pollution caused by the trucks when they back up.

The trucks can arrive at the worksite before 7 a.m., but the work cannot start before then. You can contact the STM about the noise and parking at 514-STM-INFO.

The studies are still ongoing.

The Bellechasse bus garage should generate less noise than the Saint-Denis bus garage, as much of the bus traffic will be inside the garage, and most of the maintenance work will be carried out underground.

No, this is not included in the project and the installation of such infrastructure is not the STM’s responsibility.

That is an interesting idea. We will have to confirm internally whether or not this is possible.

Our goal is to obtain the LEED v4 Gold Certification. To do so, we will need to demonstrate the efficiency (energy and water), sustainability (operation and maintenance), and indoor environment air quality of the electromechanical systems. To become LEED certified, we are being evaluated on how we reduce water usage, tackle urban heat islands, improve site conditions, optimize building energy performance and choose materials with a lower environmental footprint (recycled materials, etc.), among other things.

It was necessary to make the street one-way during construction to facilitate the delivery of numerous materials, given the scope of the project. This will therefore continue until the project ends in 2022. Regarding the layout of Bellechasse Street after the work, the borough is still analyzing the best layout possible for integrating the EBN by taking our operations into consideration.

Traffic studies were conducted, and it is not a good idea to have buses on Marmier or Des Carrières streets. One of the reasons justifying our position is that buses would have to pass through residential streets east of Saint-Denis to reconnect with major roads.

We have not yet completed the detailed planning regarding bus fleet management for the coming years. We must re-evaluate our needs in light of the pandemic. One thing is certain, the Saint-Denis bus garage will no longer be a priority in terms of service once the Bellechasse bus garage is operational, particularly because it will not be equipped to house buses outfitted with the latest hybrid and electric technologies.

The Saint-Denis bus garage is slated to close in 2024, and the land will, eventually, be given to the City.

Certain vehicles will be equipped with BBS-type alarms. However, it’s difficult to make this type of alarm mandatory for the next phase of the work given the significant number of contractors and the fact that their equipment will be leased. It is important to point out that the work will be carried out at the bottom of the excavation, which will thereby limit the use of backup alarms.

We’re also studying the implementation of a traffic plan to reduce the number of times vehicles back up on the worksite, which will help reduce the noise caused by the trucks equipped with standard alarms, while increasing the safety of truck traffic.

For the time being, the bike path installations are temporary, and studies are still ongoing. The final installations will be made once our work is completed, in collaboration with the borough, which is responsible for bike paths and traffic.

It is prohibited to use cross-streets since they aren’t truck routes. If you notice an increase in truck traffic on the cross-streets, we urge you to notify us of it through our customer service, so that we may notify the contractor.

During construction, there may be obstructions in the dog park at certain times. However, the dog park will be maintained after the construction of the bus garage.

The buses will enter and exit by De Gaspé Street before reconnecting with Bellechasse. Secondary exits and entrances are being planned on Saint-Dominique Street, in the event of an emergency or major obstruction on De Gaspé Street.

The plan is to install street furniture, such as picnic tables, garbage cans and benches. We’re also planning to install stands should public events be held.

Numerous construction projects in the area during 2020 have had an impact on traffic flow. Among them are the OMHM’s worksite at the Rosemont Métro station, the construction work on the Rosemont/Van Horne Viaduct, the refurbishment project of Plaza Saint-Hubert, and the installation work for the Saint-Denis EBN. We were united with our partners in setting up mitigation measures to reduce the impact of this work on our bus service.

As well, during 2021, we will continue to follow the development of the bus service operating conditions, in light of the creation of the Saint-Denis EBN, and make any modifications that may be required.

During construction, there may be obstructions in the dog park at certain times. However, the dog park will be maintained after the construction of the bus garage.

• De Gaspé Street is closed along the worksite, between De Bellechasse and Marmier. Buildings, including BIXI, will remain accessible through the parking lot next to BIXI and at other points.
• The dog park remains accessible.

Inquiries are processed on a case by case basis. To make an inquiry, you must contact our customer service and submit an official complaint. A claim file will be opened with the contractor’s insurer.

We can make vibration data public. To access it, you can make an access to information request to the STM.

As for air quality data, we do not produce any. Air quality is monitored on the spot when workers return to the site after blasting.

There is less dust in winter, and we are evaluating which dust management method to use.

During the construction, the contractor is responsible for planning and managing parking for workers so that maximum parking is available for local residents.Most of the workers park on the worksite.

We have a traffic plan that was approved by the borough, and truck drivers have been informed of the truck routes to use. We are working with the borough and the SPVM to ensure that trucks use the approved routes. We are monitoring this closely to ensure that the instructions given are followed and that trucks do not take residential streets.

In general, the work will take place from Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It can, however, take place on the weekend in accordance with municipal by-laws. To view the borough’s by-law, click here (in French only).

Due to a lack of participation, the good neighbourhood committee will not continue its activities. However, information sessions may be held during the project.

Once the construction is complete, there will be underground parking spaces for employees working at the new garage.

• We have introduced a traffic maintenance plan, established by a specialized firm, for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in the area.
• An inspector will be on the worksite to ensure compliance with regulations on noise levels and work hours.
• Water spraying will be carried out during demolition and excavation to reduce dust.
• The metal fences surrounding the worksite have been replaced by wooden partitions. The partitions have been installed on three streets: Saint-Dominique, Bellechasse and De Gaspé.