Comments on: The new Charlevoix

By: Jean Naimard

Jean Naimard — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:10:53 +0000

If they’re going to shut down the station for an entire summer, couldn’t they add an elevator?

Not so easy at Charlevoix. Two new wells would have to be dug all the way to 30 meters below the ground for the platforms, then another between the mezzanine and the street. Not a small proposition. It would be easier at Jean-Talon, but wheelchairs would have to take a convoluted route… Not the best thing in case of evacuation…

By: SMS

SMS — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:06:17 +0000

Something is better than nothing

By: Maria Gatti

Maria Gatti — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:33:38 +0000

in response to Fagstein; I'm no engineer but I tend to agree - installing (retrofitting) an elevator seems to take longer than a summer. But it should be more of a priority.

As for elevators but not in every station - sure, it is far from ideal (and this is an argument for trams as opposed to new métro lines) but having them at strategic points around the city - at least where two lines meet - is much better than not having them at all. Hence Lionel-Groulx and of course Berri, but also Jean-Talon and Snowdon. Jean-Talon is so far from both Berri and Henri-Bourassa as to make the existence of those accessible stations meaningless for people in Villeray/Petite Patrie and adjacent areas.

Modern trams are fully accessible to wheelchairs, walking frames and pushy things, prams and strollers.

Beaudry is one of the longest damned public works projects I've ever seen - perhaps the never-ending work on boulevard Saint-Laurent aka the Main could be a competitor.

By: allisonshine

allisonshine — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:26:01 +0000

The escalator at Beaudry metro is FINALLY working. That 'reno-station' took almost 5 years! (I had two kids 3 years apart by the time that work was complete) It seems like the elevator at Lionel Grioux is almsot complete... but I wonder, what's the point of having an elevator in only a few stations scattered across the city? Montreal is one of the worst cities to get around in if you have reduced mobility... or a stroller.

By: SMS

SMS — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:08:39 +0000

Thanks for telling it like it is Fagstein!

By: Fagstein

Fagstein — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:33:33 +0000

An elevator takes longer than a summer to install.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:22:25 +0000

I agree, Maria. If they're going to shut down the station for an entire summer, couldn't they add an elevator? One isn't supposed to take kids in strollers on escalators yet we're often never given a choice. In some cases, there isn't even a stairway to carry the kids on. I can't see how carrying my kid in one arm while carrying a folded stroller in the other arm is supposed to be any safer than just getting on the escalator with my kid strapped into their stroller. And people in wheelchairs don't even have the opportunity to break these rules. Metro stations are completely off limits to them except if they want to ride between the 3 stations in Laval. (are there any other working elevators in the Montreal Metro system outside of Laval?)

By: Maria Gatti

Maria Gatti — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:25:01 +0000

I do wish more would be done to improve accessibility to the métro. I was disappointed that Jean-Talon, where two lines cross and with a lot of traffic, was not on the list of stations slated to get a lift for people in wheelchairs and others who have a hard time using the escalators - or the stairs! Is Snowdon, also serving two lines, on the list? (There are many elderly people in that neighbourhood, and I've often seen them struggling up the often out-of-order escalators).

By: Chris Killam

Chris Killam — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:59:06 +0000

A wonderful accomplishment! Here in Toronto, routine repairs can take years - escalators out of service for months beyond their original estimated completion dates, and recently a renovation of an entrance to our Bay station took almost year longer than estimated.

By: Mama Fagstein

Mama Fagstein — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:53:46 +0000

I was there yesterday. Well passed through there yesterday on the metro, on the way to catch the bus home. There was nobody in the station waiting for the train.

By: Jean Naimard

Jean Naimard — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:38:46 +0000

My! They did a Red Green job!!!

By: Martin Guindon

Martin Guindon — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:13:40 +0000

Graffittis are ok... I don't mind them that much, kind of a cultural thing...

pretty interesting blog as always, loaded with pictures. I like how every metro station is different and has its own personality in Montreal. Love the stained glass here.