11 Montreal streets will turn pedestrian-only this summer — including a cool new addition

Montrealers can look forward to strolling along 11 pedestrian streets this summer, without having to worry about the dangers and annoyances that cars can bring. Goodbye, noise pollution and tailpipe fumes!

In a press release published on Tuesday, the City of Montreal announced that 9.4 kilometres of streets would be reserved for pedestrians in 2024, "allowing residents and visitors to enjoy local businesses and cultural programming in seven boroughs."

While this is far from the first time Montreal has pedestrianized streets for the summer — the walkways have become hallmarks of summer in the city — there is an exciting new addition to the roster this year.

For the first time ever, Plaza Saint-Hubert will be pedestrianized all summer long between rue de Bellechasse and rue Jean-Talon — a 1.2 kilometre strip. Rue Saint-Hubert was recently named one of the coolest streets in the world by Time Out Magazine.

Here's a rundown of all the streets that are turning into pedestrian-friendly zones this summer:

Avenue Bernard

• Between avenues Wiseman and Bloomfield
• May 20 to September 30

Avenue Duluth Est

• Between boulevard Saint-Laurent and rue Saint-Hubert
• From May 14 to October 15

Avenue du Mont-Royal

• Between boulevard Saint-Laurent and rue Saint-Denis: from June 5 to October 14
• Between rue Saint-Denis and avenue De Lorimier: from June 5 to August 26

Place du Marché-du-Nord (Jean-Talon Market)

• Between avenues Casgrain and Henri-Julien
• From June 6 to October 13

Plaza Saint-Hubert

• Between rue de Bellechasse and rue Jean-Talon
• From July 4 to August 25

Rue De Castelnau Est

• Between rue Saint-Denis and avenue De Gaspé
• From May 15 to October 15

Rue Ontario Est

• Between boulevard Pie-IX and rue Darling
• From June 17 to September 7

Rue Saint-Denis (and rue Émery)

• Between rue Sherbrooke Est and boulevard De Maisonneuve Est
• From June 18 to September 17

Rue Sainte-Catherine Est

• Between rue Saint-Hubert and avenue Papineau
• From May 17 to October 17

Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest (and part of rue Balmoral and rue Clark)

• Between rue De Bleury and boulevard Saint-Laurent
• From May 1 to October 31

Rue Wellington

• Between avenue la 6e and rue Régina
• From June 3 to September 15

A map of Montreal's pedestrian streets for the summer of 2024. Ville de Montréal

The City says even more pedestrian street sections are currently in-development for specific periods of summer depending on budget made available by both the City and individual boroughs.

For instance, avenue Monkland is set to be pedestrianized between avenues Girouard and Melrose from August 22 to August 25 "thanks to a collaboration between the borough of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and the BizNDG merchant association."

In addition to pedestrianizing streets, the City also says it is transforming certain public spaces into what it calls "festive mode" — adding things like picnic areas, outdoor furniture, open-air exhibitions, and giant games.

You'll find these types of features at Esplanade Tranquille (rue Clark), Parc Jean-Drapeau (1, circuit Gilles-Villeneuve), Place Émilie-Gamelin (rue Berri), Square Phillips (rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest) and Place Shamrock (70, avenue Shamrock).

Looks like it's time to dust off your walking shoes! The countdown to summer in Montreal starts now.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.