Sidewalk near Laurier Park removed to allow for parking

City workers will dig up the sidewalk on the east side of LaurierPark to make room for parking on the other side of a bike path.

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Work began in early September to revamp the bike path on Brbeuf Streetand add a concrete median,but Montreal mayor Denis Coderre halted the work.He said there weresafety issues and that residents were complaining about losing parking spots.

City councillor Marc-AndrGadoury saidthe city consulted with local business owners and pedestrians before making the new plan.

He said pedestrians can use paths in the park instead of a sidewalk.

ProjetMontral borough councillor Marianne Giguretook issue with the plan, sayingit's unsafe to ask pedestrians to walk in the park during the winter.

Catherine Maurice, spokeswoman for the city, said workers will try to preserve part of the sidewalk but nothing is promised until the project's plans are finalized.