Montreal backtracks on plan to pedestrianize part of Sainte-Catherine Street

The City of Montreal is backing away from its plan to pedestrianize part of Saint-Catherine Street West in the downtown core.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said businesses in the area voiced concerns about the project, and the section between Peel and Saint-Marc streets will no longer be pedestrian-only, as originally planned.

“As well as being the most important commercial artery in Canada, Sainte-Catherine Street is an emblem of the city,” said Plante in a news release. “We have listened to the concerns of our economic partners regarding the announced redevelopment project, particularly those of the merchants of Montreal Centre-Ville.”

She notes an “ambitious vision” for the redevelopment of Sainte-Catherine Street West remains essential, “but it must also create an environment that meets the needs of the community.”

We will be working with our partners to implement this vision in a progressive and coordinated manner,” said Plante.

Opposition Ensemble Montréal party Leader Soraya Martinez Ferrada said at the beginning of the month that her party plans to table a motion for a different vision of the street, leaving one lane open for vehicles.

“We have to make sure that we’re keeping a dynamic street, a successful street in terms of economics but also in terms of where people want to live,” she said.

The city said that “economic partners” in the area also “expressed a desire to move forward more gradually with the planned developments.”

On Wednesday, the city’s executive committee awarded Roxboro Excavation a more than $195 million contract to upgrade the aging underground infrastructure first put in place in the 19th Century, and improve the street design.

The new plan would allow vehicle traffic along the entire stretch.

The city adds that pedestrianization projects will be tested progressively, and the planned developments will be reviewed to determine future projects.

“This redevelopment represents a unique opportunity for this emblematic thoroughfare to reinforce its status as a key shopping destination,” said new Projet Montréal Leader Luc Rabouin. “We want the project to benefit everyone and win the support of key players.”