Montreal transit users, rejoice! The STM has passed a major milestone in its years-long project to connect its entire underground metro network to the “big four” cellular providers’ antennae (Bell, Rogers, Vidéotron and Telus). As of October 19, Montmorency station in Laval was connected to the network, meaning riders can now take the 30-km tunnel from Laval all the way to Côte-Vertu without ever losing signal.
Montmorency became the 47th metro station out of 68 to be connected to the cellular network, leaving just 21 stations to be connected. Work now moves to the Blue line, where stations between Jean-Talon and Saint-Michel are still not connected. Then, the green line will be connected, first between Beaudry and Honoré-Beaugrand, and then between Lionel-Groulx and Angrignon. By 2020, the entire network will be connected.
Work is slow because of the complexity of the process. Workers must install new infrastructure, and even build new building to house cellular provider equipment. In addition, they only have two and a half hours each night to install equipment in the tunnels.
The total cost of the project – $50 million – is being split evenly between the cellular providers themselves, at no cost to the public purse.