The history and evolution of Montreal Subway as a major city attraction

History of Montreal Subway

History of Montreal Subway. A very long Story!

The first horse-drawn trams circulated in Montreal in 1861.

At the turn of the century, Montreal was equipped with a tramway, which was long at the forefront of technology because of technical innovations of the operation.

It included:

• First all-steel streetcars
• Perception of rising
• First tourist trams fully open
• First articulated trams.

But soon the increased traffic in downtown became a headache for the leaders of streetcar companies, and they soon began to think of a Metro.

The history of the Montreal subway dates back to early last century.

The first subway proposal was from the Montreal Tramways Company. It was a rudimentary project, which ran under Park Avenue, from Avenue du Mont-Royal (in fact, on the surface, between Avenue des Pins and Mont-Royal), until Craig Street (now St. Antoine), and turned eastward to the terminus Craig. It ran in a loop.

A possible extension was provided in Saint-Urbain Street.

The network of the Montreal City Tramways Company suffered deferred maintenance during the war, and the company’s finances, were stretched by operations. Hocus-Pocus accounting was used to repay the major shareholders, and then the public transit system rushed into bankruptcy.

In order to avoid paralysis of the city, the council decided to municipalize urban transport in 1951, and the Transportation Commission was created.

In October 1960, municipal elections were held, and revived an old issue that had already made the news in 1910: Montreal should have its own subway. Since the war ended, the young metropolis had gained momentum and was experiencing impressive growth.

Many municipalities annexed into the territory, its downtown revitalized, and the rapid increase in car use caused terrible street congestion.

Jean Drapeau, the star candidate for mayor, saw the subway construction as a solution for the rapidly growing population.

He said Montreal should soon be able to enjoy a transport system worthy of its rank, like the great metropolises of the world.

More than just a matter of pride, the city really needed the Montreal subway. It was an essential asset to its development, as technology supported to the reorganization of its urban spaces.

The appointment of Montreal as host city of the World Expo in 1967 confirmed the intentions of Mayor Drapeau.

Thus in 1961, the Public Works Department created the Office of the Metro and work began in May 1962.

The city awards contracts to 20 contractors and appealed to the French experts of the Autonomous Paris Transport, to adapt the project to the specific needs of the Montreal subway.

Officials quickly opted for an underground network, along with tire-mounted equipment, an innovation introduced in Montreal.

The cars that were chosen were smaller than those used in other subways, and because of their reduced size, the cars were powered by electricity. They offered the advantage of being silent and permitted the safe construction of double track tunnels.

To ease city traffic, new facilities were appended to existing surface transportation. The main plot lines (1 and 2) are designed to monitor Ste-Catherine and St-Denis, disgorging the coup congested bus routes.

The initial network of the Montreal subway consisted of a line between Frontenac and Atwater (line 1), Bonaventure and Henri Bourassa (line 2) and Berri-de-Montigny and Longueuil (line 4). Montreal metro station included 26 stations over a distance of 25.9 kilometers, designed, implemented and funded entirely by the city of Montreal, at a cost of $ 213.7 million.

On October 14, 1966, Mayor Drapeau very proudly inaugurated the Montreal metro, along with several dignitaries including Cardinal Paul-Émile Léger.

All agreed that the underground facilities were of high quality.

Indeed, to give an original stamp at each station, the Office of the Metro made sure to entrust the realization of each of them to architects and artists.

The Montreal subway will have two booms–one on the occasion of the 1976 Olympics in the east and one in the 80s in the west.

In addition to having significantly improved the quality of life of Montrealers, the Montreal Metro has created new urban development zones.

Gradually, a Montreal underground network was grafted to the metro, making Montreal one of the few cities to have a vibrant underground life.

Following its success, the Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation has developed a global expertise and advised cities like Los Angeles, Mexico City and Tehran in the development of this type of urban transport.

Here are the new trains Montrealers will get soon for their Montreal subway.

Did you know…

Where lies third line of the Montreal subway?

We find the mysterious line 3 in the initial layout of the Montreal subway. This circuit, in the direction of Cartierville, was to include 15 stations and follow the CN tracks, taking the tunnel underMount Royal.

Because it required regular trains on steel wheels, converting the service from the commuter train rolling stock on air blows would have cost too much. With the arrival of the 1976 Olympics and the need to extend the network to the east, the city abandoned the project.

From one station to another

The Montreal metro, they say, is one of the most original of the world, because of the diversity of its stations. That said, because the Montrealers are accustom with the physical environment of the subways, they sometimes forget the quality of these underground facilities.

A stroll through the stations, corridors and wagons are enough to rediscover the unique characteristics of the Montreal metro, a unique architectural achievement that integrates art and architecture.

Go beyond the customary respect and appreciate the Montreal Metro as an architectural complex. We invite you to visit 10 stations where Montreal’s history is revealed through the works of artists.

You never know, this course will give you the taste and curiosity to explore many more.

Good walk!

Green Line

• Viau, a ceramic mural by Jean-Paul Mousseau, is inspired by the Olympics. They say you can distinguish the stadium tower…
• Papineau: The artist Jean Cartier evokes the events of the Rebellions of 1837-1838 and honors Louis-Joseph Papineau, leader of the Patriots.
• Berri-UQAM: Three paintings by Robert Lapalme are inspired by themes of Expo 67, while a glass of Pierre Gaboriau and Pierre Osterrath presents the founding of Montreal: The Dauversière Maisonneuve and Mance.
• Place des Arts: Frédérick Back illustrates the history of music in Montreal, from discovery to 60 years.
• McGill: The first mayor of Montreal, Jacques Viger, and Peter McGill, his successor, occupy this glass of Nicolas Sologub.

Orange Line

• Crémazie: Some Quebec poets whose Crémazie Fréchette and Nelligan are on a mural by George Landa and Paul Pannier.
• Sherbrooke: A mosaic of Gabrielle Bastien and Andrea Van recall the achievements of the Society of St. John the Baptist.
• College: Lyse Favetti represents the industrial vocation of the city of St. Lawrence, while Peter Osterrath illustrates the culture and history of this municipality.

Blue Line

• Outremont: An imposing wall of Gilbert Poissant evokes the most representative elements of residential architecture Outremont.

Today the Montreal STM is the organism that takes care of the subway of Montreal and the Montreal subway now incorporates 68 stations on four lines measuring 69.2 km (43.00 mi) in length,[2][3] serving the north, east, and center of the Island of Montreal with connections to Longueuil, via the Yellow Line, and Laval, via the Orange line.

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