It shows what patience, perseverance and commitment can do for a well-needed project like Montreal Road.
Over three years ago, with hard work from my team and I, in collaboration with the Vanier BIA and Vanier Community Association, the road finally received funding to revitalize the street. What began as an infrastructure update, replacing water mains and ageing underground services, resulted in a complete redo and refresh for Montreal Road from Cummings Bridge to St-Laurent Boulevard.
This $64 Million investment brought wider sidewalks and raised cycling track, three new public spaces, public art, improved transit accommodations, and the addition of more trees and soft landscaping the road has ever seen.
This street is one I am incredibly proud to see near completion.
Oct. 22, 2022, marked the official reopening of the street to two-way traffic and the completion of a designated cycling track from the Vanier Parkway to Lajoie Street.
The remaining work – intersection work at North River Road and remaining landscaping will be completed by mid-summer 2023.
Two-way traffic will be maintained during the 2023 work, and no more detours are required.
In total, the project will have accomplished the following:
- Burial of 900 metres of overhead hydro lines
- Construction of two kilometres of new road, cycle tracks, curbs, sidewalks, watermain, storm and sanitary sewer
- Installation of Rogers and Bell utilities, streetlights, 11 signalized intersections and overlay of Vanier Parkway between Montreal Road and McArthur Avenue
- Implementation of the Vanier and Montreal Road Public Art Plan, as well as three public areas (Dupuis Street, Emond Street and Bradley Avenue)
- Improved transit accommodations, including bus shelter and benches
- Significant landscaping and streetscaping improvements, including more than 80 additional trees, approximately 1,800 shrubs, 6,000 square metres of paver stones and 11,000 square metres of concrete sidewalk
This transformation along Montreal Road, Vanier’s community main street, is thanks to the crews, the city’s hard work, and the engagement from residents and businesses who had a vision and supported this vital modernization.
The last two years have been challenging, but it is exciting for the entire community to finally have an updated, safe, and pedestrian-friendly main street.