The STM has shut down a large portion of the green line of Montreal’s metro system indefinitely after finding cracks in the tunnel.
It’s recommending people allow more time for travel on Tuesday.
A tweet from the STM around 5 p.m. Monday said it shut down the line between Lionel Groulx and Frontenac for an “indefinite period” but did not explain why. A previous post said service would resume at 2 a.m.
Shortly after, it clarified that a water leak had made it possible to detect cracks in the vaulted ceiling of the tunnel between the Berri-UQAM and Saint-Laurent stations following an assessment by its engineering team.
STM CEO Marie-Claude Leonard says unusual water infiltration was being monitored throughout the day.
Workers weren’t sure if it was caused by crumbling concrete or was part of a larger crack that would pose a safety threat, she said, calling the decision to close the stations a precautionary measure.
“The safety is our priority for our customers and our employees, and we need time to really know about the situation,” Leonard said in an interview.
Leonard said the leak was later determined to be the result of crumbling concrete—and the tunnel is not at risk of collapse.
As a precaution, police blocked Maisonneuve Boulevard between Lionel Groulx and Frontenac so cars and heavy trucks could not pass and cause the ceiling to crumble further.
The STM also asked for heavy vehicles to be diverted between Berri and Saint-Laurent streets.
People were forced to find alternative ways to get home during the evening rush hour. CTV observed many passengers approach the Saint-Laurent station, only to find a piece of paper tacked to the door indicating the closure.
STM teams will be working all night to analyze and test the quality of the concrete, said Leonard.
SHUTTLE SERVICE
Until the green line reopens, the orange line can be used to get around downtown, between Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM stations.
The STM said bus service shuttles are operating between Berri-UQAM and Frontenac metro stations during the disruption.
“STM personnel will be positioned at strategic locations in the stations to direct customers to the orange line and the temporary surface service,” the STM said on its website.
The shuttle stops at each metro station, in both directions, and runs until 12:45 and 1:00 a.m., depending on the location.
