Three blue line metro stations in Montreal closed after structural issues discovered at St-Michel

Three of Montreal’s blue line metro stations – Fabre, d’Iberville and St-Michel – are closed until further notice.

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) made the announcement in a press release on Thursday night, adding that it’s “a preventive safety measure, for an indefinite period.” No trains will be stopping at these stations.

“Work currently underway at Saint-Michel station has revealed significant degradation of some of the main beams above the footbridge, following assessment by the engineering teams. Given the location of the turnouts, Fabre and d’Iberville stations will also have to be closed,” reads the release.

Further assessments will need to be made to determine the structural work to be carried out, “which is likely to take several days, if not weeks,” according to the STM.

Mitigation measures in place 

The STM introduced a shuttle bus service (line 809) between Saint-Michel and Jean-Talon stations on Thursday night. It will stop at each metro station on this section of the blue line, and will run in both directions. 

“STM personnel are already in place, and will be for the next few days, to accompany customers on their journeys.” 

To find out about bus travel options, the STM also invites customers to use the route planner, unchecking the metro option, available on the website or mobile applications.  

‘The importance of maintaining assets’

The STM also said in it’s press release that these closures come at a time when the STM has received confirmation of the absence of funding from the Quebec government’s Plan québécois des infrastructures for its asset maintenance and universal accessibility projects.

“Despite the STM’s requests and representations, no additional credit has been granted by the provincial government in this area since 2022.  To avoid an increase in our investment deficit, $560 million a year would be needed to ensure the maintenance of aging assets and infrastructures that have reached the end of their useful life.”

The STM will hold a press conference on Friday morning at the Saint-Michel station with further details. Then, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante will also speak to media later on in the morning – along with the STM.