Beneath the streets of Montréal lies an expansive network of tunnels that reflects both engineering ambition and urban adaptation. Commonly known as the “Underground City,” the system began taking shape in the 1960s, alongside the construction of Place Ville-Marie and the development of the metro. It emerged as a response to the city’s harsh winters and the growing need for connected urban spaces.
Building the tunnels presented significant technical challenges. Engineers had to navigate variable soil conditions, existing building foundations, and dense downtown infrastructure. Construction methods included cut-and-cover excavation as well as deeper tunnelling, often carried out in confined, complex environments that required careful planning and coordination.
Over time, the network expanded in phases, linking office towers, shopping centers, transit stations, and cultural venues. Today, it stretches more than 30 kilometres. Historical photographs from the era reveal raw concrete passageways and heavy machinery, capturing a transformative moment when Montréal was literally building a new layer beneath itself.
1924 – Locks (construction of the aqueduct tunnel towards the Lachine Canal).1931 – Photo of the Canadian National tunnel under Georges-V Avenue. It is actually a tunnel to allow the passage of pipes under the tracks of the Canadian National railway company.1924 – Pipes (construction of the aqueduct tunnel towards the Lachine Canal).1924 – View of the steel frame of the tunnel portal to the Lachine Canal. Workers can be seen assembling the steel and wood caisson.1924 – View of the steel frame of the tunnel portal to the Lachine Canal. Workers can be seen assembling the wooden caisson.1929 – Photograph of workers and excavators working to demolish the foundations of the old gate and tunnel of the McTavish Reservoir.1931 – Photo of the Canadian National tunnel under Georges-V Avenue. It is actually a tunnel to allow the passage of pipes under the tracks of the Canadian National railway company.1931 – Photo showing a general view of the excavation work for the Wellington tunnel, carried out by the Dufresne company.1931 – Photograph of the construction of the Wellington Tunnel.1931 – Photograph of the Saint-Hubert tunnel towards Bellechasse Street. The building occupied by the Canada Carriage & Body Co. company can be seen.1931 – Steel rods put in place for the concrete slab of the tunnel located near the Imperial Oil company facilities.1932 – Photo showing the final height of the Canadian National Railway’s Atwater Tunnel (viaduct). The Sherwin-Williams Paint Company building is visible in the background.1936 – Photograph of the entrance to the Wellington Tunnel. The building occupied by the Québec & Ontario Transportation Co. is visible.1937 – Iberville Street – Looking South from tunnel.1942 – Photograph of a painting depicting the Berri Street tunnel. Reproduction of a painting by Charles Tulley in La Presse.1953 – Photograph of the Christophe-Colomb tunnel looking south.1953 – Photograph of the Christophe-Colomb tunnel, looking south.1953 – Photograph of the Christophe-Colomb tunnel, taken from Rosemont Boulevard. A water tower can be seen in the background.1953 – Photograph of the Christophe-Colomb tunnel located at the level of Bellechasse Street.1972 – Pedestrian tunnel under the railway tracks, in the area of Wellington and Congregation streets.1974 – Beaudry Tunnel.
Dalia, a photojournalist hailing from Montreal, is deeply passionate about documenting events and sharing stories about people's lives. She is on track to graduate from Concordia University with a degree in journalism and a minor in art history. Currently, Dalia holds the position of Editor-in-Chief at her school's newspaper, The Concordian. Following graduation, she aims to secure a full-time reporting job at a major news outlet.
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