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The Plante administration has announced the first step in its plan to turn Old Montreal into a “pedestrian priority zone.”
De la Commune St. will become a one-way thoroughfare closed to most vehicle traffic between Berri St. and St. Laurent Blvd., while vehicles will be barred from Place Jacques Cartier and St. Paul St. 12 months a year.
The changes are part of a larger plan to make Old Montreal a pedestrian-friendly zone by 2030, although the city said it would evaluate the effect of each phase on local residents and businesses before proceeding to the next step.
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This summer, as local construction sites begin to wind down, a “sustainable mobility” corridor will be created on De la Commune St. between Berri St. and Saint-Laurent Blvd. The corridor will see existing terraces maintained and the more space given over to pedestrians. The section will become a one-way street closed to all motor traffic except for city buses, tourist buses and school buses as well as taxis, local delivery vehicles and emergency vehicles. Also, a two-way bicycle path will be created on the south side of De la Commune St.
Meanwhile, Place Jacques Cartier and Saint-Paul St., which are already closed to vehicles during the summer months, will become pedestrian-only zones all year round. The city also intends to make the section of Notre Dame St. in front of Notre-Dame Basilica a pedestrian-only area full-time while streets surrounding Place d’Armes, the heart of Old Montreal, will be turned into “shared thoroughfares.”
In a communiqué issued on Monday, city hall noted that “Old Montreal … has a limited road infrastructure that is under heavy pressure because of … traffic (transiting through the area).
“This configuration puts the safety of pedestrians and more vulnerable users at risk, and requires interventions that will make travel safer. … In addition to improving the experience of thousands of people who travel to this busy area each year these measures will reduce pressure on Old Montreal and limit through traffic.”
Travel by residents and those wishing to visit Old Montreal’s restaurants were taken into account, the city said and, to that end, access to local parking lots will be maintained.
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