Réno métro - Beyond the works sites is tomorrow's network 

New mechanical ventilation station construction project

As part of its program for refurbishing métro infrastructure, we are building a new mechanical ventilation station on the Orange line, between Square-Victoria and Place-d’Armes métro stations.

Hermine

 

From January to November 2013, traffic flow will be disrupted in the Viger Avenue area

In cooperation with Ville-Marie borough and the city of Montréal, a traffic plan has been established for motorists and for active transport users in order to minimize the impact on traffic flow in the area.

Click on the plan to enlarge

   Do you want to avoid traffic jams? Plan your trip and ride public transit.

 

What are the alternative routes suggested for motorists who wish to avoid the construction site on Viger Avenue?

For those arriving from the north-end of the island to access Highway 10:

  • Take de Bleury Street via du Parc Avenue, or Saint-Urbain;
  • Turn right on Saint-Jacques.

For those coming from the eastern part of the island:

If you drive eastbound along Viger Avenue:

  • Turn left on Saint-Urbain;
  • The, turn right on Saint-Jacques Street.

You wish to avoid Viger Avenue?

  • Drive along René-Lévesque Boulevard;
  • Turn left on Saint-Urbain Street;
  • Then, turn right on Saint-Jacques Street.

Click on the plan to enlarge

   Do you want to avoid traffic jams? Plan your trip and ride public transit.

  

What is the alternative route for motorists that are driving northbound on de Bleury Street?

Motorists will be detoured on Saint-Antoine Street. Then, they must take Saint-Laurent Boulevard to avoid higher traffic volume on Saint-Urbain where the fire station is located.

Click on the plan to enlarge

 

What steps are involved in the construction of a mechanical ventilation station?

Step 1
Preparation of the work site

  • Installation of the jobsite partitions
  • Installation of equipment

Main equipment used:

  • Truck, crane, hydraulic drill, and compressor

Approximate construction timeframe: November 2012 (1 month)

Step 2
Mechanical ventilation station excavation

Surface excavation

  • Soil excavation over bedrock (approximate volume 4300 m3) Drilling through rock to determine the well perimeter to excavate

Excavation below ground level

  • Drilling and smaller scale dynamiting (approximate volume 4800 m3)
  • Extracting rock pieces

Main equipment used:

  • Drill, crane, excavator, truck and fan

Approximate construction time frame: December 2012 to July 2013 (7 months)

Step 3
Concrete work for well and gallery construction

  • Reinforcement of rockface (concrete work floors, walls and ceiling)

Main equipment used:

  • Concrete mixer and concrete pump

Approximate construction time frame: August 2013 to January 2014 (7 months)

Step 4
Installation of mechanical and electrical equipment

  • Equipment delivery to work site
  • Lowering of equipment into the well
  • Installation of equipment
  • Performance tests on mechanical equipment

Main equipment used:

  • Crane and delivery trucks

Approximate time frame: February 2014 to June 2014 (5 months)

Step 5
Architectural finishes and landscaping

  • Construction of exterior building. All traditional construction tradesmen necessary to build the exterior structure are involved, such as framing carpenters, carpenters, bricklayers, roofers, glaziers and landscapers.

Main equipment used:

  • Truck, forklift, scaffolding, and boom

Approximate construction time frame: April 2014 to June 2014 (3 months)

 

What purpose do mechanical ventilation stations serve?

The métro ventilation system has three functions:

  • Comfort ventilation - Regulates the temperature for the comfort of customers. By breaking and accelerating, trains produce nearly 80% of all heat in the underground network.
  • Night ventilation – Night ventilation ensures a supply of fresh air for night time workers carrying out routine maintenance tasks.
  • Emergency ventilation - Used for smoke control. Provides a safe evacuation route for people and a safe access route for firefighters should an incident occur.
What does a ventilation station look like?

From outside, the building appears to be modestly-sized. Inside, a tunnel links the shaft to the metro tunnel. In that tunnel are two large fan units along with noise-dampening walls.

 

How many ventilation stations are there?

The metro network currently has 89 mechanical ventilation stations. Ventilation units are required between each metro station.

Is there a ventilation station in that particular métro section ?

Yes, the project consists in replacing the old mechanical ventilation station built around 1966 and located at 303 Viger St. West. The new station will be built on a small section of the parking lot next to 425 Viger St. More efficient, the unit will conform to new safety standards, while improving the supply of fresh air for commuters and metro employees.

Why was that site chosen to build the ventilation station?

In order to meet current safety standards and the City of Montréal’s noise by-laws, the ventilation station would need to be significantly expanded. And because the current unit is integrated into another building’s main floor, using the same site was impossible.

The parking lot was selected after an in-depth analysis of four potential sites. Also, the nearby Highway 720 tunnel south of Viger St. makes it impossible to build on that side.

A ventilation station must also be located next to the métro tunnel, about halfway between the two metro stations it serves.

What kind of building will go up in the parking lot ?

Working with city officials, we made sure the proposed building would fit in the neighbourhood. The building will be about 9 metres tall and about 5 metres wide. The building is shown in the sketch above.

How long will construction take?

Construction work should take about 21 months, with start-up planned for fall 2012

What measures are planned to minimize inconvenience during construction?

Any construction work likely to produce noise will be restricted to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. However, adhering to the project's calendar for construction may require workers to do overtime on weekdays and/or weekends. Any additional worktime will comply with municipal regulations.

During construction, an independent outside firm will supervise excavation work. This firm will ensure that strict standards established by the City of Montréal and the STM regarding vibrations caused during excavation are respected. Seismographs will be installed in strategic areas to measure vibrations.

A traffic impact study will help establish an optimal plan for cars and active means of transportation. A traffic plan will be prepared in collaboration with the Borough.

As with any construction site, there might also be dust on occasion. Measures will be taken should it become a problem.

Could the ventilation station pollute the land around the structure?

No, a ventilation station produces no contaminants. Rainwater or snow falling into the ventilation shaft will be collected by the métro pumping system and released into the municipal sewage system.

Will ventilation units be a nuisance for area residents?

No. These ventilation units are equipped with powerful noise suppressors. Once operational, noise emissions will comply with municipal regulations. The noise level around the structure will not exceed 50 decibels when both units are operating together at full capacity (an exceptional situation). That noise level is so low that it cannot be heard over a normal conversation or normal ambient noise in the area. The units will be installed under Hermine St, one 9 metres and the other 15 metres below ground.

Will the ventilation station eventually become a métro station?

No. A mechanical ventilation station with its equipment cannot be transformed into a métro station entrance.

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