The beginning of horizontal mass excavation using the tunnel boring machine for the Blue Line extension brought together several dignitaries on May 19. On that occasion, the name of the tunnel boring machine—chosen through public vote and in keeping with tradition—was unveiled. It is Lisette, in honor of the first female operator of the Montréal Metro.
Benoit Charette, Quebec Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility; Chantal Rouleau, Minister Responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region; Karine Boivin Roy, Minister Responsible for Housing; Marie-Gabriel Menard, Member of the Parliament for Hochelaga— Rosemont-Est Eric St-Pierre Member of the Parliament for Honoré-Mercier; Soraya Martinez-Ferrada, Mayor of Montreal; and Aref Salem, Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee of the City of Montreal and Chair of the STM Board of Directors gathered today to mark the symbolic start of the tunnel boring machine as it heads toward the future Anjou station of the Blue Line Project.
After several months of assembly and engineering testing, the tunnel boring machine is about to begin the horizontal mass excavation, marking a significant milestone in completion of the project. The use of this faster, more efficient and sustainable technique than traditional mechanical methods is a first in the Montreal métro network.
A true underground plant, the tunnel boring machine will keep the project on schedule by simultaneously excavating the tunnel, disposing of 300,000 cubic metres of rock and installing the 14,300 concrete voussoirs that make up the tunnel walls. The rock extracted from the tunnel will be sent to the Saint-Michel quarry, located near the Vertières shipyard, and can be reused by the City of Montreal.
Starting at the future Vertières station at Boulevard Pie-IX and Rue Jean-Talon, the tunnel boring machine will help build 4.6 km of the 6 km tunnel extending the Blue Line. In the coming months, the tunnel boring machine will be seen crossing the transept of intermediate stations before heading above ground at the future Anjou station (western access) in early 2028.
A tunnel boring machine named Lisette
In keeping with tradition, the tunnel boring machine is placed under the symbolic protection of a godmother. The public was asked to vote for their favourite candidate among five Quebec women who had made a significant mark on an area related to the project such as engineering, sustainable development or public transit.
Following this popular vote in March, the public chose to name the machine Lisette, in honour of Lisette St Onge, who in 1981 became the first woman operator in the Montreal métro. This choice highlights her pioneering career and, more broadly, the contribution of women to the development and operation of the métro network.
Quotes from dignitaries
“The launch of the tunnel boring machine marks a historic moment for mobility in Montréal’s east end. Public transit is of paramount importance to our government, and our investment in this project is a concrete example of that. We are working for the quality of life and mobility of Montrealers.”
— Benoit Charette, Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility
“In recent years, things have picked up and the blue line extension has really moved to another level. With the start-up today of the tunnel boring machine, we’ve reached a critical step in a long-awaited project. Our government is delivering projects that are making a real difference in mobility, quality of life, and development in east-end Montréal.”
— Chantal Rouleau, Minister Responsible for Social Solidarity and Community Action, Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region
“In addition to redefining mobility in the east end of the city, the extended blue line will also densify residential development around the five future stations. I am particularly pleased that several thousand new mixed housing units will be coming out of the ground over the next few years. Ultimately, this new urban environment will provide a greener and more accessible place to live.”
— Karine Boivin Roy, Minister Responsible for Housing and Member of the National Assembly for Anjou–Louis-Riel
“The launch of the tunnel boring machine marks another step forward in extending the Blue Line to the east of Montreal. This initiative will help reduce traffic congestion and stimulate the construction of new housing near the new stations. Our government continues to support major projects that make a real difference in people’s lives. ”
— Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga—Rosemont-Est
“I am delighted to highlight this important milestone today in the realization of the Blue Line extension project. The launch of the tunnel boring machine marks a major milestone for this essential and crucial project for the people of East Montreal. Ultimately, this project will provide residents of the area a greater access to public transit services, allowing them to get around safely and efficiently every day.”
— Eric St-Pierre, Member of Parliament for Honoré-Mercier
“Today we are marking a major milestone for this important project—for the city of Montreal, but especially for the residents of my riding of Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel. Thanks to the Blue Line extension project, residents of the East will soon have even better public transit service, with a new, reliable, and ecofriendly option for their daily commutes.”
— Patricia Lattanzio, Member of Parliament for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel
“The Lisette tunnel boring machine is bringing us closer to the Blue Line in the city’s east end. With this more efficient and sustainable technology, we are accelerating a project that residents of East Montreal have been waiting for for decades. The completion of this project will improve traffic flow, support the development of our neighborhoods, and bring Montrealers closer to their public transit network. ”
— Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montreal
“The launch of the Lisette tunnel boring machine is a major milestone for the Blue Line extension, a long-awaited project in the east that will transform the landscape of mobility in the metropolitan area. For the ARTM, together with our partners, our goal remains the same: to seamlessly integrate the future stations of the Blue Line extension into the rest of the network and maximize the benefits for users.”
— Benoit Gendron, Executive Director of the ARTM
“The Blue Line Project today marks a milestone, driven by both commitment and exceptional expertise. It will be the backbone of a project that will transform the east end of the city. We are particularly excited that this proud day is rooted in the very history of the STM. The tunnel boring machine is named after Lisette St-Onge, a pioneer who paved the way to public transit and continues to chart its future.”
— Aref Salem, Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee of Ville de Montréal and Chair of the STM Board of Directors
“We are very proud to announce that the tunnel boring machine will be named Lisette in honour of Lisette St Onge, who became the first woman subway operator in 1981. Lisette has paved the way for a generation and embodies the values of innovation and progress associated with Blue Line Project. The public’s choice is a tribute to an inspiring figure and trailblazer who marked the history of Montréal’s subway and public transit.”
— Maha Clour, Executive Director, Blue Line Project
About the Blue Line Project Office
The Blue Line Project is a key development project in the east end of Montréal. The six-kilometre métro extension will add five new stations east of Saint-Michel station, bringing the Blue Line into Anjou. The project is a collaboration between five partner organizations: the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, the Autorité régionale du transport métropolitain, the City of Montréal, the Société québécoise des infrastructures and the Société de transport de Montréal.
To find out more about the project’s progress
Anyone interested in project progress and milestones can subscribe to the worksite e-newsletters or go to BlueLineProject.info for more information.