Here's What Montreal's All-New Sainte-Catherine Street Will Look Like
Sainte-Catherine Street in Downtown Montreal is considered by many to be the main artery of the city, bring culture, commerce, and significance to the city as a whole. For years, the street has served the public adequately but in its current state, it could not sustain the influx of pedestrians and car traffic.
Last April, Mayor Valerie Plante announced that Ste. Catherine street is getting a makeover. You may have noticed those crazy traffic jams between Peel and Jeanne-Mance Streets but it'll all be over soon enough! The huge project which broke ground last summer is slated to be complete by 2021.
With construction happening at a break-neck pace, Montrealers are super excited to see what the new Ste. Catherine Street will look like. Here's a sneak peek!
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The renovations will see Ste. Catherine become a more pedestrian and commerce-friendly stretch of downtown Montreal as some parking spaces will be removed and traffic will be reduced to one lane.
Most changes will happen along McGill College Ave, where Plante's vision to make a huge public square is slowly coming to fruition. Once complete, it'll be one of the largest public squares in North America, rivalling Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto and Times Square in New York.
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The many smaller public squares in the immediate area will also be getting a face-lift. Dorchester Square, Phillips Square, and St. James Square are also getting massive renovations.
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[rebelmouse-image 26893071 photo_credit="Project Montreal" expand=1 original_size="967x640"] Project Montreal
The new pedestrian and public squares will feature new outdoor furnishings, L.E.D lighting, more green-space, and free WiFi.
Plante's administration has also planned to make Ste. Catherine Street more accessible to all by installing more bicycle parking and developing a mobile app to help drivers find parking spots.
[rebelmouse-image 26893072 photo_credit="Project Montreal" expand=1 original_size="846x640"] Project Montreal
While the concept art does indeed look awesome, we cannot wait until the project is finally complete!
Once the project is complete, Mayor Plante's vision of a modern and festive downtown Montreal will finally be achieved.
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The project will gain steam in the next few months in preparation for the summer tourism influx.
If the traffic and constant construction noise are annoying, hold out just a little while longer!
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If you want to know more, check out this awesome video made by Project Montreal.
Are you as excited as I am about Montreal's all-new Sainte-Catherine street? The project is set to be completed by 2021 so stay tuned!