A Downtown Montreal Train Station Is Closing For Major Renovations Next Month

Montreal's Lucien-L'Allier train station is on the brink of transformation. Nearly five decades since its last update during the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, a major renovation is scheduled to start in April that will impact the daily commute of thousands.

Exo plans to rejuvenate the station with modern facilities. The upgrades will target the station's four "deteriorating platforms," introduce a weather-protective canopy, and add new emergency exits.

The canopy, described as low, linear, and minimalist, will extend the full width of each platform without obstructing the railway tracks and be visible from rue de la Montagne. The design will incorporate skylights to let natural light filter through.

"This major work will ensure the sustainability of this important public transportation infrastructure in the city centre," exo general manager Sylvain Yelle said in a statement.

The extensive makeover is expected to start on April 1, 2024 and last until 2025, which will result in phased closure of the station. While Lucien-L'Allier is shut, passengers of lines 11 to Vaudreuil and Hudson, 12 to Saint-Jérôme, and 14 to Candiac will face temporary reroutes.

Commuters on line 11 will be rerouted to Vendôme station for at least six months, where they'll be able to transfer to the metro Orange Line to reach downtown. Passengers on line 12 will be redirected to Parc station for about twelve months. They can then connect to the Blue Line metro at Parc station to reach downtown Montreal and other areas. Those taking line 14 will be rerouted to Vendôme station for around 12 months.

Meanwhile, regular users will need to access ticket services at nearby stations or use automated machines on-site, as the Lucien-L'Allier ticket office will also close for the duration of renovations.

Throughout construction, all routes to access the Bell Centre will stay open so you'll still be able to get around. Lucien-L'Allier's transformation marks another tick on Montreal's 2024 construction checklist.