Montrealers will be able to enjoy ten pedestrian streets again this summer, thanks to a municipal program of $12 million over three years which aims to support the dynamism of commercial arteries.
From boulevard Saint-Laurent to rue Fullum. From May 20 to September 5.
From 6th Avenue to Regina Street. From June 5 to September 17.
From rue Saint-Hubert to rue Papineau. From May 19 to October 16.
From boulevard Pie-IX to rue Darling. From June 19 to September 9.
From boulevard Saint-Laurent to rue Saint-Hubert. From June 19 to September 5.
From Sherbrooke Street to De Maisonneuve Boulevard. From June 1 to September 30.
From boulevard Saint-Laurent to rue de Bleury. From May 1 to October 31.
From avenue Casgrain to avenue Henri-Julien. From June 1 to October 15.
From Wiseman Avenue to Bloomfield Avenue. From May 18 to October 9.
From rue Saint-Denis to avenue de Gaspé. From May 8 to October 10.
These are the same streets as last year, but visitors will see some changes in amenities and activities, according to Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who points out that these pedestrian streets are becoming destinations for visitors, which benefits to traders.
“We saw a considerable increase in pedestrian traffic last year on these streets,” revealed Sophie Mauzerolle, transport manager on the executive committee. “For example, on Sainte-Catherine West, the increase was 73%, and it reached 86% on Duluth Street. We also have similar data for rue Saint-Denis and rue Wellington. »
As every year, it is expected that the pedestrianization will be criticized by motorists, who deplore the loss of parking spaces and the detours caused by street closures.
“You have to remember that for most of the year, the majority of space on the streets is given over to cars and trucks,” responds Valérie Plante of the disgruntled. “It’s good that we have a little different experience during the summer by making more room for pedestrians. »
She invites those who fear the lack of parking spaces to use public transit to take advantage of the streets without car traffic.
Ms. Mauzerolle assures that the surroundings of the pedestrian streets, where the increased traffic is likely to generate more waste, will be kept clean and the garbage cans emptied regularly. For example, the Ville-Marie borough has increased its cleanliness budget by $2 million.
