A snakelike collection of tempo fabric shelters covering 215 metres leading from the Université de Montreal metro station to the campus has some raising their eyebrows.  

The winding path from the metro station that goes up the hill to the school is normally closed for winter due to safety precautions.

“It’s up the hill, so it’s kind of difficult to maintain with the snow (and ice),” said UdeM spokesperson Genevieve O’Meara.

This year, with the underground tunnel that normally leads between the two areas closed for repairs, the path must remain open.

While the $10.9 million renovation was supposed to be done in time for winter, the completion has been delayed.

“It’s basically demolition and excavation work that took more time than was expected, because the tunnel is old,” said O’Meara.

The solution: 40 tempos which have been set up with internal lighting to make them traversable 24 hours a day.

The university said the tempos have come at no additional cost to the school, as they are included as part of the renovation.

Still, while practical, the tempos aren’t the loveliest thing to look at, according to one student passing by.

“I think it’s a great idea but I can understand how people can be a little leery,” they said.