Citizens and merchants on rue Saint-Zotique, in the La Petite-Patrie district, do not want traffic on their street to become one-way and came to submit a petition with more than 1,000 names on Monday evening to the municipal council to oppose the change.
“There was no impact study,” lamented Marco Miserendino, co-owner of the Bijouterie Italienne, which has a storefront there. “More than 90% of the merchants oppose the project and we are outraged by the lack of transparency of the district.”
These changes have been planned for five years and aim not only to add bike lanes, but also to beautify the street to help with its commercial revitalization, responded the mayor of the borough of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, François Limoges, who reported several information meetings on this subject.
The affected section is between Saint-Dominique Street and Christophe-Colomb Avenue. The one-way system came into effect on Monday. Further east, up to De Lorimier Avenue, the street has already been one-way for several years.
“It’s a project for the living environment, and the feedback we’ve had is that the population is in favour of it,” said Mr. Limoges. “I understand that you’re worried that it will harm parking and commerce, but I’m sure that when it’s done, you’ll appreciate it.”