LONGUEUIL QUE. – Work to reconfigure the Bonaventure Expressway into a boulevard will begin in September, the Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) has announced, with site mobilization scheduled for late August.
During construction at least two lanes in each direction will remain open on Bonaventure at virtually all times.
The new boulevard project will cost $156.2 million. Duroking Construction was selected to carry out the work, a release notes.
The project involves a complete reconfiguration of the sector. Traffic lanes will be moved away from the St. Lawrence River to create space for an 80,000 m2 green corridor along the shoreline that will feature two active mobility paths and landscaped public spaces. The road footprint and heat islands will be reduced by 40 per cent.
The paths will connect pedestrian and cycling networks on the West Island and South Shore to the Old Port and downtown Montreal.
A total of nearly 32,000 trees, shrubs and perennials will be planted and grassy areas will be adapted to the site’s varied terrain, allowing users to sit, walk or ride along river.
Also as part of the project is addressing environmental issues in the area. Underway since 2016, this initiative involves containing and treating contaminated groundwater to protect the St. Lawrence River.
Seeing it is an important link between downtown Montreal, the Port of Montreal, Highway 15 and the Samuel De Champlain Bridge, road capacity on the expressway will be maintained at three lanes in each direction.
The speed limit will be reduced to 50 km/h. Three new intersections with traffic lights will also be added, the release notes.
“We are delighted to reach this milestone in a journey that began several years ago,” said Sandra Martel, CEO of JCCBI, in a statement. “A participatory approach was launched in 2019, followed by the design phase and the awarding of the construction contract. For nearly five years, we have worked closely with the City of Montreal, various partners and nearly thirty public interest groups to refine the project, which will significantly enhance quality of life in the surrounding community.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2029.
