23 hours ago • 3 minute read
A man walks along a widened area of Monkland Ave. in N.D.G. April 19, 2020. Montreal created a pedestrian zone to help accommodate physical distancing necessitated by the coronavirus crisis. John Kenney / Montreal Gazette
Montreal will add 327 kilometres of bicycle paths and pedestrian lanes, while some thoroughfares will be closed to motorized traffic this summer. It is part of an effort to open up the city — and its businesses — to residents after months of COVID-19 lockdown.
However, the head of the official opposition at city hall said the plan was short on details and didn’t seem to have considered the businesses it is supposed to help. And Lionel Perez wondered about the motivation behind Mayor Valérie Plante’s announcement on Friday.
“What I’m concerned about is that they are using the pandemic as pretext to push forward their political agenda” instead of promoting physical distancing, said Perez, referring to the administration’s record on lessening the number of cars on city streets. “The mayor said today the bike paths will be temporary, but she didn’t say as much about the pedestrian corridors.
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“We know that because there’s going to be reduction in the use of public transit, more and more people are using their cars to do their purchases. And if we’re removing more parking spots (because of bicycle paths), it’s going to make it more difficult.”
Over the course of the summer, Montreal will temporarily close Mont-Royal Ave., Wellington St. and de la Commune St. to motorized traffic, although access for delivery vehicles and bus service is expected to be maintained.
Beginning in June, the city will increase pedestrian and cyclist access to St-Laurent Blvd., St-Denis St., Christophe-Colomb Ave. and Gouin Blvd., although motorized traffic will be maintained.
Dubbed the “safe active transportation circuit,” the changes to the road network will add cycling and pedestrian thoroughfares that will connect five parks: Mount Royal, Maisonneuve, Jarry, Frédéric-Back and Île-de-la-Visitation.
The temporary network — which will be in operation until the autumn — will also connect with commercial streets.
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