My Alerts The Vendôme multimodal hub's new pedestrian tunnel officially opened this morning, in the presence of elected officials and partners. The tunnel's construction and the hub configuration improvements were essential to providing easier and safer access at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Glen site for the patients, visitors and employees who use the public transport services offered by the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).
Montréal, June 18, 2015 – The Vendôme multimodal hub's new pedestrian tunnel officially opened this morning, in the presence of elected officials and partners. The tunnel's construction and the hub configuration improvements were essential to providing easier and safer access at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Glen site for the patients, visitors and employees who use the public transport services offered by the Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).
Mr. Robert Poëti, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, and his colleague, Ms. Kathleen Weil, member for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness, inaugurated the Vendôme pedestrian tunnel. The elected officials were accompanied by Mr. Nicolas Girard, AMT President and CEO, Mr. Philippe Schnobb, Chairman of the STM board of directors, and Mr. Normand Rinfret, MUHC Director General and CEO.
Minister Poëti stated that "this $5.16 M project, fully funded by the Québec government, is the first of many steps that will ensure everyone has access to the new hospital. The new Vendôme metro-entrance shelter project is a priority for our government and it is part of the Québec infrastructure plan. This project is being discussed with the partners involved and will ensure universal access to the Vendôme multimodal hub and to the MUHC within a few years." Minister Weil added that "the arrival of the MUHC on the Glen site is of course very positive for the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce riding. Improving public transportation links was essential to the MUHC's successful implementation in the area, for patients, their families and for employees, and today's inauguration is a major step in that direction."
"Montréal welcomes the opening of the pedestrian underpass linking the MUHC's Glen site with Vendôme's multimodal transit hub. This in interim measure represents a significant gesture in support of public transit," said M. Copeman.
Overview of the work at the Vendôme multimodal hub
The work performed improves trip capacity and fluidity at the Vendôme multimodal hub. It is the third busiest train station on the AMT network, and the eleventh busiest station on the STM's metro network. In 2014, 5.6 million in-commuters transited through this station, or an average of 19,000 per weekday.
"The work performed by the AMT consisted mainly in extending the existing Vendôme train station tunnel by nine metres so that MUHC employees and users travelling by public transport could access it directly. A paved pedestrian path linking De Maisonneuve boulevard and the Vendôme train station was also created to improve pedestrian traffic," explained Mr. Girard. "Lastly, signage was added and our fare vending machines and ticket office were relocated to improve ease of travel for our customers."
Mr. Schnobb specified that "the work led by the STM will also help users of the Vendôme station and the eight bus lines that serve it to get around more easily. Three new stairways were built in the metro station to improve customer flow, and the turnstiles were also reconfigured. New gates and fire doors were also installed." He went on to recall that "the new 77 – Lionel-Groulx station / MUHC bus line commissioned in May makes it easier for customers with reduced mobility to reach the new hospital, pending the construction of the second Vendôme metro-entrance shelter, which will be equipped with elevators."
"For years, we have been dreaming and planning to build these wonderful facilities that we have now been occupying for a few weeks. And from the start, we identified our site's extraordinary potential, given its proximity to the Vendôme multimodal station. In fact, it is one of the reasons why we chose it. We would like to encourage as many people as possible to use public transportation and take advantage of user-friendly access. Although we are thrilled with this important step, we are already eager for the day when we can meet once again to celebrate the opening of a second universally accessible tunnel. I'm convinced that together we will make it happen," concluded Mr. Rinfret.
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Media Contact:
Brigitte Léonard
Agence métropolitaine de transport
514 409-9709
