The illuminated cross atop Mount Royal will be taken down for roughly a year while approximately a quarter of its steel components and its lighting system are replaced. About 1,800 steel parts make up the structure, and around 450 of those will be swapped out as part of the upgrade.
The work aims to modernize an outdated lighting system and address deteriorating steel sections, causing the landmark to disappear from the Montreal skyline for the duration of the project. The cross is a well‑known feature of the city’s landscape, and the renovation is scheduled to begin now.
The removal and refurbishment are expected to take about one year, after which the cross will be reinstalled with new lighting and renewed steel elements.