Montreal transit agency unveils new pedestrian tunnel

The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) late last week opened a new pedestrian tunnel at the Vendome multimodal hub.

The tunnel and accompanying configuration improvements to the hub were designed to provide easier and safer access to the McGill University Health Center Glen site for patients, visitors and employees, STM officials said in a press release.

The $5.16 million project was funded by the Quebec government, and is "the first of many steps that will ensure everyone has access to this new hospital," Minister of Transport Robert Poeti said. (All figures in Canadian dollars.)

The improvements included extending the existing Vendome train station tunnel by 30 feet, as well as creating a paved pedestrian path linking De Maisonneuve Boulevard to the station. Additionally, STM staff added signage and relocated fare vending machines and the station's ticket office to improve ease of travel.

The Vendome multimodal hub is the third busiest train station on the Agence metropolitaine de transport's (AMT) network. In 2014, the station handled an average of 19,000 riders per weekday, STM officials said.