It seems like construction never comes to an end in Montreal. Delays, scandals, redesigns, and scrapped plans plague municipal projects.
ALSO READ: This Map Tells You When Every Construction Project In Montreal Will Be Completed
With so much chaos and noise surrounding Montreal residents, it is sometimes difficult to imagine the final results that these projects promise to deliver.
So hopefully these artists' renderings of major projects can inject some hopeful vision into your daily frustration:
1. Sainte Catherine Street
As you may have noticed, work has begun to transform Ste-Catherine street into a more pedestrian-friendly zone. The plan calls for widened sidewalks and the elimination of parking, as well as the transformation of Ave. McGill College into a car-free Place McGill for festivals and spectacles. The project also aims to revitalize downtown parks and public squares. Construction is supposed to be complete by 2021, bu the project is already on hold until Winter 2018.
2. The Champlain Bridge
The new bridge will replace the dilapidated bridge of the same name just to the west of the construction site. The project promises better pedestrian access to the river and wider lanes for cars. But construction is already severely delayed. A crane workers' strike this week reportedly pushed the end date even further – to April 2019.
3. REM Train Line
The highly anticipated train line (Réseau Éxpress Métropolitain) broke ground this year and, when completed, will finally connect the South Shore, downtown, and airport via a tunnel under Mount Royal.
4. Turcot Interchange
The major highway project is years in the making and the cause of many a commuter's frustration. Dust from the construction is even causing health issues in the south west. The new highway will feature a streamlined path, more breakdown lanes, more green space, and connectivity between the neighbourhoods that it separates.
5. Old Port Wharves
The new cruise ship terminal opened this year and is part of a huge master plan for the Old Port. The wharf will eventually feature a large observation tower, perfect for panoramic views of the city with the mountain in the background.
