Inauguration of the new bicycle path (Décarie and de Maisonneuve)

MONTRÉAL, July 14, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Russell Copeman, Mayor of the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (CDN—NDG) borough, will inaugurate the new two-way bicycle path on the north side of boulevard de Maisonneuve between boulevard Décarie and avenue Claremont. He will be accompanied by Aref Salem, councillor for the district of Norman-McLaren and member of the Ville de Montréal executive committee responsible for transportation, and Peter McQueen, councillor for the district of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.

"First, I'd like to thank Aref Salem, the Ville de Montréal executive committee member responsible for transportation, for his invaluable collaboration on this all-important file for several stakeholders. Mr. Salem and the active transportation division worked jointly to find a solution to the many problems that have plagued this sector from the outset," says Borough Mayor Russell Copeman.

"The work was achieved through discussion and collaboration between the borough, the Ville and the NDG Cyclist and Pedestrian Association. In this regard, the new bicycle path configuration is the product of a consensus, and it will better meet the needs of cyclists, particularly considering the increase in bicycle traffic since the opening of the MUHC Glen site. The new bicycle path will also make the route safer and improve relations between cyclists and the many buses bound for the Vendôme metro station," adds Mr. Salem.

The new configuration allows cyclists headed in the direction of downtown to avoid the southbound crossing at the busy intersection of Décarie and de Maisonneuve. "I'm pleased that we resolved the most dangerous conflict between drivers and cyclists. By keeping cyclists on the north side, pedestrians will also be safer," explains Peter McQueen.

This configuration would not have been possible without the collaboration of the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and the support of Marvin Rotrand, councillor for the district of Snowdon. Thanks to their efforts, the bus stop at the corner of rue Marlowe and boulevard de Maisonneuve was relocated, and the bus stop at the corner of rue Bulmer and boulevard de Maisonneuve was removed, making it possible to transfer the eastbound bicycle path to the north side of boulevard de Maisonneuve.

Finally, this configuration will remain in place until the reopening of the St-Jacques overpass, at which time the Borough will reassess the traffic situation in the sector as a whole.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Côte-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

Image with caption: "From left to right: Russell Copeman, Mayor of the Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (CDN—NDG) borough, Daniel Lambert, spokesperson for the NDG Cyclists & Pedestrian Association, Aref Salem, councillor for the district of Norman-McLaren and member of the Ville de Montréal executive committee responsible for transportation, Jean-François Pronovost, vice-president for Development and Public Relations at Vélo Québec, and Peter McQueen, councillor for the district of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. (CNW Group/Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Côte-des-Neiges - Notre-Dame-de-Grâce)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150714_C4234_PHOTO_EN_445801.jpg

Sophie Landreville, Communications Officer, CDN--NDG borough, Office: 514 868-3483 - Media line: 514 465-1853