Project overview
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Pedestrian access to local businesses and private properties is being maintained throughout construction, and Montreal Road businesses remain open.
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.
- Inclusion of traffic calming measures and pedestrian/cycling features on North River 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:
- 2019 – Construction of underground Hydro Ottawa conduits and other utility work on Montreal Road between North River Road and de L’Eglise Street.
- 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.
- 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 the end of 2022, most surface works will be completed between North River Road and Lafontaine Avenue.
- 2022 – Complete underground sewer and some surface works (sidewalk, cycle track and road).
- 2023 – Complete remaining works such as final commissioning of the cycle track east of Lafontaine Avenue, intersection work at de L’Église Street and Lafontaine Avenue, and remaining landscaping. The project is scheduled for completion in mid-summer 2023.
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.
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
Infrastructure and Water Services Department
City of Ottawa
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 26075
Construction update
Montreal Road is open!
Montreal Road, from Vanier Parkway to St. Laurent Boulevard, reopened to two-way traffic and transit on Friday, October 21.
The reopening of Montreal Road to normal road and transit operations represents a significant milestone for the community and local businesses. Work will continue into 2023 to complete any remaining works such as final commissioning of the cycle track, intersection work and remaining landscaping.
Construction update
Over the last several months, the contractor has done their best to accelerate the project schedule in an effort to make up for the lost time associated with the four-week labour union strike that took place in July.
Over the next several weeks and into November, the following work is scheduled to occur before the winter shut down:
- Installation of landscape and street furniture, including bike racks, pavers, benches and garbage receptacles along Montreal Road
- Final line painting, pavement markings and sign installation between Montgomery and Lacasse
- Concrete curb and sidewalk work at the Lafontaine intersection and along other sections of Montreal Road
- Hydro pole removal between Altha and de L’Eglise
- Preparations for winter shut down
Public engagement
Public information sessions
Public information session display boards and comments summary
- Public information session #2 (May 13, 2019)
- Public information session #1 (April 24, 2018)
- Presentation to Montreal Road BIA (November 19, 2019) [ 5.14 MB ]
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.