This is the beginning of the end for the pedestrianization of Mont-Royal Avenue. The operation to dismantle the temporary fittings and furniture began a few days ago in order to prepare the artery for the return of car traffic next Tuesday. The prospect of seeing cars reclaiming the street does not appeal to everyone.
On social networks, with good weather, several Montrealers demanded that the pedestrianization be extended by a few additional weeks. Aware of the disappointment caused by the end of the summer project, the general manager of the Société de développement commercial de l’Avenue du Mont-Royal, Claude Rainville, indicates that the schedule has been known for months and that it is not possible to deviate from the initial plan. “It is not a decision that was taken in secret yesterday morning. It was voted on at the borough council last spring,” he recalls. “The weather is nice and warm there. But if it was eight degrees and it was raining, probably people would tell us it’s time for it to end, that there are no buses and it’s back to school. »
Deployed in an emergency in 2020 to facilitate distancing during the pandemic, the pedestrianization project on Mont-Royal Avenue is in its third edition. Although it is too early to take stock of the season, Claude Rainville describes the operation as a success, especially since the tourists were back after two years of the pandemic. “Three years ago, we got picked up. We were told that we were going to kill avenue du Mont-Royal and that it didn’t make sense. Now, we are told: it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t last long enough. What I see behind that is an approval or appropriation of the project by a good number of citizens. »
See you next year
The mayor of Plateau-Mont-Royal, Luc Rabouin, points out that it would not have been possible to postpone the dismantling of the facilities for reasons of manpower, the teams having been reserved last April. “We probably have the longest pedestrian street in Canada, if not in the world. Dismantling does not happen overnight,” he explains.
The period of pedestrianization will probably be longer next year, he says. “In October, we will take stock so that we can start planning the next season in November and prepare even better,” he said, emphasizing the close collaboration that has developed over the years with retailers in the av.
According to the elected official, the 97 bus represents one of the major challenges of pedestrianization. For months, his route had to be diverted on Saint-Joseph Boulevard. “For people in good shape, there is no problem, but for seniors or those in less good physical condition, it is an issue. We must also take this into consideration. »
The Plateau borough does not envisage permanent pedestrianization of the artery in the coming years. However, Luc Rabouin wishes to study the possibility of winter developments and citizen appropriation projects “without pedestrianizing 2.5 kilometers”. “Maybe one day the street will be pedestrianized all year round, but not for the next three years. And maybe it will be a street for pedestrians and public transit,” he says.
To citizens who would like the sidewalks on the avenue to be widened in order to facilitate pedestrian movement when automobile traffic returns, Luc Rabouin mentions that a permanent development project should first be drawn up. “And that will come the day when it will be necessary to redo the underground infrastructures”, he underlines, without being able to say more about the state of the network of aqueducts and sewers under the artery.
The pedestrianization of avenue du Mont-Royal, which led to the temporary removal of 320 parking spaces and traffic issues, did not only make people happy. During the summer, pedestrians also complained about the difficult cohabitation with cyclists and scooters.