Montréal, June 2, 2011 The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) advises transit users it will temporarily close down Villa-Maria métro station to carry out major renovations. Accessing the station will not be possible at any time from next June 6 to September 5 inclusively.
While work is underway, métro trains will roll through the station at low speed, without stopping. Acknowledging that its customers will need to change some of their commuting habits, the STM wants to reassure them that it has taken all the necessary measures to ensure their safety and has spared no effort to minimize the inconvenience.
The STM is establishing a shuttle bus service (the 545 route) running every five to eight minutes during the time the station would normally be open. The shuttle service will travel to Snowdon station by way of Décarie, Côte-Sainte-Catherine (with a stop at that same station), Victoria and Queen-Mary. A bus stop will also be added along Décarie at the corner of Queen-Mary, a few minutes from Snowdon station, for anyone who does not need to go to the next station. Detailed information about this shuttle service and the resulting changes has also been communicated to area schools to advise students.
The shuttle’s route can be seen on the STM website. Informational and directional signage will be installed to direct customers on site. Please note that the 24 – Sherbrooke, 103 – Monkland and 162 – Westminster bus lines remain unchanged and will serve Villa-Maria station as usual.
As Villa-Maria station will be completely closed, purchasing transit fares or recharging Opus cards will not be possible. The STM invites its customers to buy or recharge fares ahead of time at another station.
The renovations planned for this summer will consist mainly of demolishing and rebuilding the station’s structural slab, adding a waterproofing membrane, repairing staircases (with the addition of yellow edge-stripping for accessibility) and floor finishes, installing new windows, replacing and upgrading indoor and outdoor lighting, and repairing paved areas.
The renovations are part of Phase II of the Réno-Stations program, and its implementation is ensured by a financial partnership between Transports Québec and the STM.
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