Montreal Orange line extension – Since 2016, Saint-Laurent’s Mayor Alan DeSousa has been strongly advocating to have Montreal’s Orange metro line extended from the Cote Vertu station to Bois Franc, where it will connect with the future REM station site. With a tunnel for the new STM metro car garage at Marcel-Laurin and Thimens Boulevards already being excavated from Cote Vertu, it makes good sense. DeSousa has also maintained that an Orange line extension would also be good as a safety measure, in case the REM experiences any possible problems. As well, there is already one kilometre of tunnel that has been dug and the tunneling machinery is on-site. And Mayor Valerie Plante wants to make it happen.
Montreal Orange line extension
The City will be requesting money from the Quebec government in their next provincial budget, expected sometime around mid-March of this year. The Mayor’s proposal would see two new stations built from Cote Vertu; one on Poirier Blvd. and the other at Bois-Franc. For me, it is crucial… it is important,” she said, given the controversial Royalmount project and other developments expected to significantly increase traffic and bus station congestion in the area. A report that was presented to the city’s executive committee also shows the extension will allow commuters to have easier access to the airport and industrial areas, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The tunnel would be 2.3 kilometres long and the new stations would offer commuters using the REM, especially those from the West Island, a smart, accessible and easy transfer into the Metro and STM bus system. Plante is also hoping the Quebec government will consider an increase of 50% in funding towards more sustainable transportation in Montreal, as well as prioritizing the city’s plans in electrifying its public transit system.
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