Temporary Vendme-MUHC tunnel opening raises accessibility questions

An elevator and a stairway inside the Vendme Metro station will now bring commuters within a hundred metres of the MUHC's entrance, but stops short of leading visitors directly into the hospital.

In the leadup to the opening of thesuperhospitalnearly two months ago, the$5 milliontunnel was criticizedbecause it was not wheelchair accessible.

• WATCH | Vendome's accessibility problem

Today, as the tunnel was officially opened by politicians and hospital executives, the accessibilityquestion was again raised.

Quebec Transport Minister RobertPoeti, on hand for ribbon-cutting,said the current underground passageis the best temporary solution.

He would notgive a specific timeline for the completion of the permanent passage, only saying that the project was a priority and a work in progress.

NDG borough councillorPeter McQueenbelieves it's going to take a minimum of four years before the permanent linkis open and is concerned about the obstacles that awaitcommuters.

''As you know Montreal wintersare not going to be comfortable [for those going to the MUHC, especially for people with limited-mobility," McQueen said.

MUHCCEO Normand Rinfretsaid thatsolutionssuch as an outdoor shelterto facilitate the outdoor walk will be considered.

Rinfret said thatdirect underground access is not possible for now, despite the fact that there is a door that leads to the MUHC's parking garage,which then leadsinside the hospital.

"It's a magnetic door that is only supposed to be open in the case of [a] fire," Rinfret said.

"It's not a door that is conceived as a wall and everything related to massive transportation means for people to get access."

McQueen says that allowing that door to be openedfrom the Vendme station would make things easier on commuters given there are a significant number ofelevators inside the parking garage.