Greetings everyone,
I have a brief update on the Paris subway Line 4 extension towards station Mairie de Montrouge!
Towards the end of January, I discovered the le metro a rendez-vous avec Montrouge blog by Dominique Josse. In this blog, she features up-to-date news and happenings that revolve around the Line 4 extension projects towards Montrouge, and later towards Bagneux. Most recently, she posted a link to a virtual tour interface that showcases the new station Mairie de Montrouge. I must say that I’m really impressed with the way the station is rendered in the virtual tour because everything looks so realistic! In fact, when I “walk” onto the northbound platform, I can visualize the MP 89 stock train arriving at the station to “whisk” me north towards station Gare du Nord. I invite you to check out the virtual tour yourself by clicking the “VISITE VIRTUELLE” icon on the left hand side of the blog’s homepage.
From what I’ve been hearing through this blog, as well as Symbioz; Saturday, March 23, 2013 is the tentative opening date for station Mairie de Montrouge. If there are no more major delays, then this should be the final date. On March 9, 10, and 11th, the segment of Line 4 between Gare Montparnasse and Porte d’Orleans will close for testing. During that particular weekend, bus services will be set up between Denfert-Rochereau and Porte d’Orleans. Passengers wishing to travel toward Porte d’Orleans will need transfer to Line 6 at Gare Montparnasse and travel to Denfert-Rocherau, where the buses will pick up passengers from there.
On March 12, the marche à blanc or walk to white phase begins. This is where trains will travel their normal route to Porte d’Orleans, drop off passengers per normal, but then continue their journey to Mairie de Montrouge. However, service at times will still be limited to Gare Montparnasse and northward, so bus services will be in operation between Denfert-Rocherau and Porte d’Orleans. This phase will test the new segment in a normal traffic environment and will allow the RATP to smooth out any remaining “bumps in the road” before the grand opening on March 23.
If everything goes well, I will be reporting back in March for my “grand opening” post. Until then, I invite you to visit Dominique Josse’s blog, where you can stay up-to-date on the latest regarding the Line 4 extension project. A HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO HER! 😀
Warmest Regards,
HARTride 2012
The Global Transit Guidebook 