Montreal Road Revitalization

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Project limits

The project limits for Montreal Road are North River Road to St. Laurent Boulevard for a total distance of 2 kilometres. In addition to the Montreal Road corridor, the project includes reconstruction of North River Road from Montreal Road to the North River Road cul-de-sac for a total distance of 560 metres length.

Key plan [ PDF - 377 KB ]

Landscape roll plan [ PDF - 6 MB ]

Project description

The City of Ottawa has completed the 18-month long detail design phase of the Montreal Road corridor and construction began in June 2019.

The ultimate vision for Montreal Road is to construct a vibrant and welcoming main street with a well-balanced transportation network that will allow residents and businesses to thrive. To achieve this vision, some of the following aboveground and underground improvements are proposed:

• Construct a three-lane cross section between Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard that includes two eastbound lanes, one westbound lane and cycling tracks/lanes in both directions.
• Bury overhead Hydro lines between North River Road and L’Eglise Street.
• Implement streetscaping features along Montreal Road, including but not limited to new street furniture, streetlights, trees, concrete sidewalks and paver stones.
• Review and improve bus stop and bus shelter locations.
• Replace the existing watermain between North River Road and St. Laurent Boulevard.
• Replace sanitary and storm sewers along certain sections of Montreal Road.

As part of the Montreal Road project, the 560 metre long section of North River Road (north of Montreal Road) is planned for reconstruction. The proposed works include replacement of the watermain, sanitary sewers and road drainage modifications.

Project timing

Project construction began in June 2019 with underground utility work. A general summary of the construction timelines and project staging are as follows:

• Year 1 (2019) – Construction of underground Hydro Ottawa conduits and other utility work on Montreal Road between North River Road and de L’Eglise Street.
• Year 2 (2020) – Continued utility work as well as watermain and sewer construction on Montreal Road and North River Road (Montreal Road to north cul-de-sac). Completed road and underground work along Montreal Road between North River Road and the Vanier Parkway.
• Year 3 (2021) – Continued underground watermain, sewer and surface works (sidewalk, cycle track and road) on Montreal Road between the Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard. By Year 3, most surface works will be completed between North River Road and Lafontaine Avenue.
• Year 4 (2022) – Complete underground sewer and surface works (sidewalk, cycle track and road) up to St. Laurent Boulevard. Complete landscape and streetscape work as well as final lift of asphalt pavement on Montreal Road. The project is scheduled for completion in late fall 2022.

The above timelines and sequence of work may change as the work progresses along Montreal Road.

Project budget

The City is making a significant investment to renew Montreal Road and North River Road (estimated at $64 million) with funding authority identified as part of the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 capital budgets.

Public engagement

Some examples of public engagement for the project have included:

• Public information sessions – first public information session was held in April 2018. The second public information session was held on May 13, 2019.
• Meetings with the Vanier Community Association and Quartier Vanier BIA to provide project updates, receive feedback and answer questions.
• Working group meetings with members from the Vanier Community Association and Quartier Vanier BIA with the purpose of obtaining input on specific issues involving significant design decisions.
• Project newsletter (monthly to date, may be more frequent as construction ramps up).
• Regular communication with individual business owners and residents affected by the proposed improvements.

Contact information

For further information, please contact the project team or alternatively, the City Project Manager:

Mario Kotowski, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
Design and Construction Municipal Branch
Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Department
City of Ottawa
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 26075

Pedestrian access to local businesses and private properties will be maintained throughout the construction period. Montreal Road businesses remain open. For more information on how to support Montreal Road businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the Vanier BIA website.

Construction for the Montreal Road revitalization project is resuming this spring. The project is scheduled to be completed at the end of this year.

Beginning on Sunday, April 24, 2022, Montreal Road will be reduced to a single westbound lane from St. Laurent Boulevard to the Vanier Parkway until approximately mid-September 2022 for watermain, sewer and road work. Some segments of Montreal Road will have two-way traffic predominantly for buses.

Due to the lane closures, there are traffic and transit impacts in the area as indicated in the below detour maps. A temporary detour of OC Transpo buses will be necessary to maintain bus services in the community.

While Montreal Road is reduced to a single westbound lane, eastbound traffic, including cyclists, will be detoured via North River Road and Vanier Parkway to McArthur Avenue and St. Laurent Boulevard. Most side streets will close temporarily, with access provided at key intersections (Olmstead, Marier, Lacasse and Cantin).

OC Transpo will also be modified. For more information about transit routes, visit octranspo.com.

Access to local businesses will be maintained and Montreal Road businesses remain open during construction.

2022 scheduled work and timelines

• Underground water and sewer pipes: Underground work will take place along Montreal Road at Lafontaine Avenue and St Laurent Boulevard from mid-April until late August. The work at Lafontaine Avenue involves replacement of storm sewer, sanitary sewer and watermain pipe that will last several months.
• Road and concrete sidewalks: Road work will continue as crews complete the road surface, curbs, cycle tracks and sidewalk between Lafontaine Avenue and St. Laurent Boulevard from May to late September. The final lift of asphalt will also be completed along the 2-kilometre section of Montreal Road from North River Road to St. Laurent Boulevard.
• Landscaping and streetscaping: Crews will be planting trees and shrubs, installing pavers, street furniture and bus shelters along Montreal Road from May to late October. Plaza work at Emond Street, Dupuis Street and Bradley Street will also be completed.
• Hydro pole burial: Hydro pole burial will take place on the south side of Montreal Road between Altha Avenue and L’Eglise Street from June to late November. The work will include burial of the Hydro Ottawa overhead powerline as well as other telecom utilities.

As part of the North River Road reconstruction, several traffic calming measures are proposed as well as pedestrian and cycling features that will further enhance this section of road. The improvements include:

• A pedestrian crossover (PXO) on the north side of the Mark Avenue/North River Road intersection. Adjacent to the PXO on the west side of North River Road is a curb depression that allows cyclists to enter or exit the Multi Use Path (MUP) from Mark Avenue.
• Two speed humps located approximately 30 metres north and 30 metres south of the Mark Avenue/North River Road PXO
• One speed hump located halfway between Wayling Avenue and Tudor Place
• One speed hump located halfway between Tudor Place and Coupal Street
• A pedestrian crossover (PXO) on the north side of the Coupal Street/North River Road intersection. Adjacent to the PXO on the west side of North River Road is a curb depression that allows cyclists to enter or exit the Multi Use Path (MUP) from Coupal Street.

Construction of the traffic calming measures will be completed in 2022 as part of the ongoing Montreal Road revitalization work. 

Over time, deposits can accumulate inside pipes and whenever work is performed on watermains or fire hydrants, scale or sediment can be disrupted resulting on discoloured water.

If the water in your cold water tap or toilet tank is rusty, yellow, or discoloured, this indicates the presence of iron, sometimes found in areas that are supplied by cast iron water mains. This discolouration is usually caused by nearby construction. Sudden changes in flow can disturb rust or iron sediment within older water mains. This is a fairly common occurrence and is normally solved by City staff flushing the water main through a hydrant. Please note that these low levels of iron, while not aesthetically pleasing, do not pose a health concern.

If you observe “rusty” water, flush your cold water tap for several minutes until it runs clear. We recommend that you do not drink or wash laundry with discoloured water. If the issue persists for more than a few hours, call 3-1-1 to arrange for a site visit.

If you have any questions, please contact the City at 3-1-1, info-water@ottawa.ca or visit the City’s website at ottawa.ca.

Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated and we apologize for any inconvenience.

Q: Why is this work needed?

A: The municipal infrastructure along Montreal Road is aging and needs to be replaced. This includes underground utilities, watermains, sections of sanitary and storm sewer as well as curbs, sidewalks and the roadway surface. Consistent with City Official Plan policies, Montreal Road has been redesigned as “Complete Street” that provides general improvements for all modes of transportation including transit, pedestrians, cycling and vehicles.

The vision for the Montreal Road Revitalization is to create a vibrant and welcoming main street with a well-balanced and connected transportation corridor that will allow residents and businesses to thrive.

Q: What are the project limits and scope of work?

A: The project limits extend from the Cummings Bridge at North River Road to St. Laurent Boulevard for a distance of 2 km. The project scope for Montreal Road includes watermain replacement, partial sanitary and storm sewer replacement, burial of overhead hydro and other utilities, construction of raised cycle tracks, new curbs and sidewalks, new streetlights and traffic signals, extensive landscaping and a complete road rebuild. In addition to Montreal Road, work will also be undertaken at:

• North River Road from Selkirk Street North to the North River Road cul-de-sac
• Vanier Parkway from McArthur Avenue to 140 m north of Montreal Road
• McArthur Avenue at North River Road, Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard intersections

Q: What is the construction schedule?

A: Construction began in mid-2019 with utility work along Montreal Road that included burial of overhead hydro lines, Enbridge Gas system upgrades and reconstruction of Bell underground structures. A general summary of the construction timelines and project staging are as follows:

Year 2020:

• Continue utility works on Montreal Road from North River Road to de L’Eglise Street
• Watermain, sewer and road reconstruction on Montreal Road from North River Road to Marier Avenue
• Watermain, sewer and road reconstruction on North River Road from Selkirk Street North to the North River Road cul-de-sac
• Temporary intersection modifications on McArthur Avenue at North River Road, Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard intersections

Year 2021:

• Implement an eastbound Montreal Road detour from the Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard via McArthur Avenue. Westbound traffic will continue using Montreal Road.
• Continue watermain, sewer and road reconstruction on Montreal Road from Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard
• Paving and landscaping on North River Road from Montreal Road north to the North River Road cul-de-sac

Year 2022:

• Continue detour of eastbound Montreal Road from the Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard via McArthur Avenue
• Complete watermain, sewer and road reconstruction on Montreal Road from Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard
• Resurface road on Vanier Parkway from McArthur Avenue to 140 m north of Montreal Road.
• Remove temporary intersection modifications and reinstatement on McArthur Avenue at North River Road, Vanier Parkway and St. Laurent Boulevard intersections

Note: the above timelines and sequencing may be subject to change as the work progresses.

Q: What’s the project budget?

A: The City is making a significant investment to renew Montreal Road and North River Road (approximately $58 million) with funding authority identified as part of the 2019, 2020 and upcoming 2021 capital budgets.

Q: I am a frequent visitor to Montreal Road. How can I still access the places I love during construction?

A: Accessibility for the public and maintaining access to businesses is an important consideration for the City. Pedestrian access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times and the City will make every effort to provide access through and around construction sites. As construction progress, side street closures will be required and vehicular access to Montreal Road will be provide at designated intersections only. Detours and sidewalk closures will be communicated on site with signage.

Q: Are there going to be OC Transpo detours for this project?

A: Impacts to OC Transpo in 2020 will be primarily limited to bus stop and bus shelter relocations and operational delays due to construction. In the years 2021 and 2022, eastbound Montreal Road will be closed from the Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard and all traffic including buses will be detoured to McArthur Avenue. Transit connections and internal bus circulation between McArthur Avenue and Montreal Road are being reviewed and will be communicated prior to beginning 2021 and 2022 construction.

Q: Was the public consulted on this project?

A: Prior to the design and construction of this project, the City undertook public consultation as part of the Transportation Planning and Functional Design Study which was finalized in June 2017.

The City’s public consultation efforts continued during the two-year design phase and the City remains committed to engaging key stakeholders, local residents and the general public as the project moves into construction.

Public consultation activities to date have included:

• Public information sessions
• Business and landowner information sessions
• Meetings with the Vanier Community Association and Quartier Vanier BIA
• Working group meetings with members of the Vanier community and business owners
• Monthly project e-newsletter
• Business questionnaires
• Project webpage
• Weekly progress email to project stakeholders
• Project inbox: montrealroad@ottawa.ca

Q: With construction work comes construction-related noise. What is the City doing to mitigate noise?

A: The contractor will typically be operating within the parameters of the Noise By-law:

• Monday-Saturday: Between 7 am and 10 pm
• Sundays and holidays: Between 9 am and 10 pm

Some night work will be required through out the duration of the project in order to limit daytime water disruptions and avoid major traffic delays at key intersections. Night work outside of the typical operating hours require an approved Noise By-law exemption and residents will be made aware in advance of the work.

The contractor will take every precaution to minimize interruptions to everyday life but, as you can appreciate, there may be some inconvenience during the course of the work, such as delays when travelling around the construction zone, noise, dust and vibrations.

Q: Will utilities to nearby businesses and residents be impacted during the reconstruction? How will business and residents be notified when utilities (i.e. water, gas, electricity) are shut off?

A: During a construction there will be times where utilities, such as gas, water or electricity, will need to be interrupted. The City will provide advance notice of planned service disruptions; however, there will be instances when unforeseen construction issues will result in water, gas and hydro disruptions. The project team is also reaching out to affected properties and will coordinate the best time for service interruptions.

Q: Will garbage pick-up and snow removal be impacted during the road closure?

A: The contractor is responsible for the coordination of garbage pick-up and snow removal within the construction zone. All City services outside of the construction zone will continue as normal. The project team will monitor these activities closely during construction.

Q: Where can I find out more information about the project?

A: Our project webpage at ottawa.ca/montrealroad is your go-to for background information about the project, current traffic impacts, notices, updates and more.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates about the project. To do so, visit the sign-up page and enter your name and email address, click the box on ‘Montreal Road Revitalization’ and subscribe! You will get an email to confirm your subscription.

Q: What’s the best way to contact the project team?

A: For inquiries related to the Montreal Road Revitalization project, please email montrealroad@ottawa.ca or contact the City’s Project Manager, Mario Kotowski at 613-580-2424, extension 26075. For any emergency outside normal working hours on weekdays and weekends, please call the City at 3-1-1.