Montreal outlines $6B plan to fix roads, revamp infrastructure

The City of Montreal has unveiled its three-year infrastructure plan and says it's putting forth "significant efforts" to improve the city's aging road and water networks.

The city will be investing a total of $6.37 billion over threeyears.It's an increase of $1.15 billion over last year's plan, but the city says it should have little impact on municipal taxes.

The plan calls for an additional $1 billion investment slated for Montreal'swater supply, roads and transportation network.

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Mayor DenisCoderresays that the work is vital and people will be better prepared for construction work ahead.

"People understand we need to do this work," saidCoderre. "What they don't want is surprises. We are working in a more integrated way."

The announcement comes on the heels of a recent study by the city, whichfound that 22 per cent of sewers, 14 per cent of the water system and 45 per cent of roads do not meet an acceptable level of service.

Road and water investments

A little more than 60 per cent of the investment plan is slated forroad or water infrastructure.

Some of investmentsinclude:

• $351.9 million for the repair and maintenance of major arteries.
• $210 million for the of local roads in addition to repair work carried out by boroughs.
• $415.4 million for a road levelling and surfacing program.

The city has also set aside money for Montreal's waterworks system with plans to renovate the water supply and sewer network.

Opposition calls for long-term investments

LucFerrandez,ProjetMontral'sinterim leader, said at a news conference that much of theinfrastructure investment outlined by the planis short-sighted.

"We would have reinvested in the structure, not just the asphalt," saidFerrandez. "In three years most of these streets will be as destroyed as they areright now."

Ferrandez said that the money would be better spent securing dangerousintersections which have had fatal incidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.

Other investment projects

The three-year planalso sets out a number of priority projects for the city.

They include:

• $34.7 million for the creation of a new Montreal-operated animal control centre.
• $24.5 million for the extension of Cavendish Boulevard.
• $17.9 million to renovateMontreal's baseball parks.
• $12.4 million to developthe "River-to-Mountain" urban walkway for the city's 375th birthday.