Montreal Blue Line's easternmost stops could be closed for weeks

Ongoing work at Saint-Michel station has revealed significant degradation of main beams above the walkway, following an assessment by engineering teams, the STM says. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada - image credit)
Ongoing work at Saint-Michel station has revealed significant degradation of main beams above the walkway, following an assessment by engineering teams, the STM says. (Ivanoh Demers/Radio-Canada - image credit)

The Blue Line's easternmost stops could remain closed for weeks, according to Marie-Claude Léonard, CEO of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

As of Thursday evening, Montreal's public transit authority announced the closure of three Metro stations on the Blue line — Fabre, d'Iberville and Saint-Michel — for an indefinite period for safety reasons.

Ongoing work at Saint-Michel station has revealed significant degradation of main beams above the walkway, following an assessment by engineering teams, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) says.

"Given the location of track equipment needed for train turnarounds, Fabre and d'Iberville stations must also be closed," it says.

In a press conference on Friday morning, Léonard said engineering teams were looking into the cause.

She added that a shuttle bus would run between Jean-Talon and Saint-Michel Metro stations, stopping at each station.

"We're very aware and sorry about the impact it's having on our customers. But we can't afford to put anyone's safety at risk," said Léonard.