Montreal Is Getting Even More Pedestrian-Only Streets This Summer

There will be even more pedestrian streets coming to Montreal this summer. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante announced the pedestrianization of rues Sainte-Catherine O. downtown, Saint-Denis in the Latin Quarter, and de la Commune Est in Old Montreal. The transformation of these streets will create safe spaces for pedestrians while "supporting commercial revival in the downtown area." 

"As deconfinement begins soon and the good weather arrives, it becomes essential to offer Montrealers the safe public spaces they need to make their essential purchases, go to work or get some air while remaining active, respecting public health requirements in terms of physical distance," said Mayor Plante. 

"This is why we are unveiling today new measures which, in addition to the measures already announced and those to come, will ultimately offer nearly 40 kilometers of new streets redistributed for the benefit of pedestrians and cyclists in the year 2020." 

Last week, the City of Montreal announced a new Active Pathways Circuit. The initiative will add a total of 327 kilometers of bike and pedestrian paths around the Island of Montreal through both temporary measures as well as the continuation of previously planned projects.

The first phase of the operation will be underway in June. 

Three of Montreal's most important and iconic streets will benefit from pedestrianization this summer.

The redevelopments will "support the resumption of commercial activities and will facilitate compliance with the distancing measures" according to city officials. 

[rebelmouse-image 26885190 photo_credit="Courtesy of Groupe CNW/Ville de Montr\u00e9al - Arrondissement de Ville-Marie" expand=1 original_size="2700x1328"] Courtesy of Groupe CNW/Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Ville-Marie

The operation will proceed as such: 

• Rue de la Commune E. (between rue Bonsecours and rue Saint-Gabriel) will be pedestrian-only from June 11 until October 31. Furniture will be installed during the summer. The borough says that "to make up for the lack of continuity of the Vieux-Port cycle path in this sector, a pilot project for a shared pedestrian and cyclist lane will be implemented." 

• Rue Sainte-Catherine O. (between rue Metcalfe and avenue Atwater): "starting next week, the north sidewalk on rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest will be widened considerably to create a partial pedestrianization of the street, keeping only one lane of traffic [...] From June 19 to September 7, the street will be pedestrian-only on weekends and deliveries will be authorized between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m."

• Rue Saint-Denis (between rue Sherbrooke E. and rue Sainte-Catherine E.): from June 4 to October 31, "parking will be removed at all times and traffic prohibited."

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Other iconic streets are also set for major transformations, including avenue du Mont-Royal, which will become pedestrian-only.

During the first phase of operations, the city will "connect the Mont-Royal, Maisonneuve, Jarry, Frédéric-Back, and Île-de-la-Visitation parks" with a 61-kilometer bike path network. 

"Since a large part of the population of Montreal will probably remain in town during the summer, it was our duty to offer it a pleasant and safe city that will allow it to move without the hassle and to rediscover all that the metropolis has to offer," Mayor Plante said on May 15.

In an interview with MTL Blog, city officials outlined what Montrealers can expect on rue Sainte-Catherine this summer. 

Stay tuned for more news.