des Halles auxiliary building
- Worksite summary
- Impact on customer trips
- Impact on local residents
- Learn more about the project
- Onglet 5
Worksite summary
As part of the Blue line project, this worksite involves building a new operational infrastructure required to operate the métro, between the future Langelier and Anjou stations.
parlons·en
Public information session - Anjou area
On March 24 and 25, 2025, information sessions were held to inform residents about the métro infrastructures being built in this area, how the worksite will be set up, and what happens next.
Another meeting will be scheduled later this summer to present the upcoming work in the Talcy Park area for the construction of Anjou workshop and underground garage.
Consult the presentation (in French only)
Start of work: Preparatory work started in April 2025. Excavation phase will start on July 14, 2025.
Description of the work: New building construction.
Impact on customer trips
No impact on customer trips.
Impact on local residents
Latest news
Preparatory work is now complete at the project site. The excavation phase will begin the week of July 14 and will take several months.
Initial work will include the construction of retaining walls around the excavation area. These walls will support the ground during the mass excavation.
Before the retaining walls can be set up, we need to install piles as anchors. We will begin installing the piles within the week of July 14, and that phase of the work will take about a month.
A working method that reduces the impact
In order to minimize the noise from piling operations, we opted for installation by drilling. This involves the use of specialized drills to dig down to the desired depth. The steel pole is then anchored with poured concrete. The installation process is less noisy for residents than the pile driving technique.
Although most of the piles will be drilled, some pile driving may prove necessary in certain situations. Rest assured that measures are in place to control the impact of the work. These include noise walls around the worksite perimeter to dampen the sound.
Traffic in the area during the work
It will remain possible to move around the construction zone, and pedestrian walkways are set up on the east side of the Halles d'Anjou parking lot to get around safely during the work.
Controlled microblasting excavation at the future des Halles auxiliary building site will start in September 2025. See the Microblasting section further down this page for more information
Preparatory work for the construction of the des Halles auxiliary building started on April 22, 2025. The excavation phase will start in July 2025.
What to expect during the work
As of April 22, 2025 - Preparatory work
- Avenue des Halles is partially blocked off while the worksite access zone is being set up. One lane remains open in each direction and there is a detour for pedestrians to allow them to travel north and south on Avenue des Halles.
- A section of the Halles d’Anjou parking lot is blocked off, but people and cars can move around the zone.
May 13, 2025 - Full reopening of des Halles Avenue
With the work to install an access to the worksite now complete, since May 13, all lanes and the east sidewalk on des Halles Avenue are reopened. Work will now be only carried out in the area inside the parking lot.
July 14, 2025 - Excavation and construction work
- The worksite zone for the des Halles auxiliary building will be located on the Halles d’Anjou parking lot.
- People and cars will be able to move around the zone.
- Pedestrian walkways will be set up on the east side of the Halles d’Anjou parking lot to allow pedestrians to circulate safely during the work.
Good to know
- Access to businesses and residences will be maintained at all times.
- Signage will be posted to direct pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
- Worksite trucks will take Jean-Talon, des Halles and des Galeries-d’Anjou Boulevard.
- Appropriate mitigation measures will be put in place to reduce the impact on local residents, including noise walls around the worksite perimeter.
Microblasting
Controlled microblasting excavation at the future des Halles auxiliary building site will start in September 2025. We'll be using this proven technique as it's an efficient way of excavating on a limited site, such as the one of this auxiliary building. Occasional vibrations may be felt by residents near the worksite.
An independent consulting firm carried out surveys (especially photographs) on all buildings around the work site. These inspections document the condition of the buildings before and after construction. In the unlikely event that any damage is reported, an expert opinion will help to determine whether the damage is the result of the vibrations produced by the work site. Property owners affected by this measure have been contacted before the start of microblasting work.
Carbon monoxide detectors will also be distributed to properties within a 100-meter radius of the worksite.
- The site of the auxiliary building has already been partitioned off, and the microblasting will take place within the construction zone.
- Safety instructions will be posted around the site.
- Blasting mats will be installed over the rock to contain the micro-blasts.
- No explosives will be stored on site.
- We’ve hired a specialized firm to monitor the vibrations and ensure compliance with the City of Montréal’s standards.
- 12 whistle or siren sounds
- 30-second wait
- Microblast
- 1 long whistle or siren sound
- End of microblasting
The controlled microblasting excavation work will start in mid-September 2025, and will continue through summer 2026. There will be an average of three microblasts per week.
For safety reasons, during each microblasting operation, a restricted area around the site will be temporarily closed to traffic, for a period of about 10 minutes. Employees will be present to coordinate this maneuver.
For more information
To learn more about this excavation method, consult the Frequently asked questions (FAQ) section on the Blue line project page.
Information session on controlled microblasting
An information session was held in spring 2025 to learn more about this excavation method, and to give the chance to ask our experts all the questions.
Consult the presentation (in French only)
Learn more about the project
An auxiliary building is a service building, closed to the public and located between two métro stations, that houses a variety of mechanical and electrical equipment needed for métro operations. This includes ventilation equipment, power supply infrastructure and pumps to remove runoff water. There are currently hundreds of these buildings in the métro network.
let's chat
Public participation
Information sessions, talks, activities, good neighbour committees: our team wants to meet you!
Information booth
At Le Boulevard Shopping Centre
More about the Blue line project
Contenu de l'onglet 5
The project in image
The Blue line project follows in the wake of the Déclaration du gouvernement du Québec et de la Ville de Montréal to revitalize Montréal East. Many projects are underway to give a new impetus to this sector. Increased mobility, economic development, and improved living environments are at the heart of this ambitious project. For more information, see Québec.ca/RevitalisationEstMontreal (in French only).