Tunneling begins on Montreal’s Blue Line metro extension

The tunnel boring machine “Lisette” has begun excavation for the eastward extension of Montreal’s Blue Line. The new corridor will span 6 kilometres [3.7 miles]—boring 4.6 kilometres [2.8 miles] underground—and add five stations, running from Saint-Michel to the borough of Anjou. This major investment will support long-term mobility by better connecting the east end to the rest of the island of Montreal.

Continuing its more than 25 years supporting STM, Stantec is contributing to all phases of the extension, from planning through delivery, in partnership with AtkinsRéalis and the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) project office. Stantec’s multidisciplinary engineering team is providing a wide range of services including structural and electromechanical design, high voltage engineering, acoustics engineering, telecommunications, and geotechnics.

The Blue Line extension represents one of the most significant investments in Montreal’s subway system since the introduction of AZUR trains, for which Stantec oversaw project management.

The tunnel boring machine, named “Lisette,” honors Lisette St‑Onge, the first woman to operate Montreal’s subway in 1981. Selected through a public vote, this trailblazer serves as the machine’s symbolic guardian, in keeping with industry tradition.