Projet Montreal today announced it’s plans to make Ste. Catherine Street car free!
“Richard Bergeron wants pedestrians to rule Ste. Catherine St.
Projet Montréal mayoral candidate chose the corner of Ste. Catherine and McGill College Ave. to announce his proposal to turn much of the city’s marquee commercial street into a pedestrian mall.
He wants the strip from Papineau Ave. to Guy St. closed to car traffic year-round in an effort to improve the quality of life downtown, make the area more attractive to tourists and help stores attract more customers. But before moving ahead, he said he would ensure there is a consensus among downtown residents and business people.
If Bergeron becomes mayor, the strip between St. Laurent Blvd. and Bleury St. should be the first to be turned into a pedestrian mall, he said. Next would come the length between University and Metcalfe Sts., plus McGill College Ave., between Cathcart St. and de Maisonneuve Blvd. Other parts would be closed to cars later.
Projet Montréal is also in favour of pedestrianizing St. Paul St. in Old Montreal and Mount Royal Ave. between Park Ave. and Frontenac St.
Louise Harel’s Vision Montreal also wants to turn Ste. Catherine into a pedestrian mall, starting between Papineau and Bleury. By the end of its first mandate, it wants the pedestrian-only stretch to reach Atwater St.
For the past two summers, part of Ste. Catherine – between Papineau and Berri – has been turned into a temporary pedestrian mall.
ariga@thegazette.canwest.com
Story here.
