Modifications made to the vast boulevard will be numerous. The borough plans to refit the parking spaces in order to make more room for pedestrians. On Decarie Boulevard, there will be 60 less places available for motorists. Overall, a little more than 100 parking places will however be in the neighbouring streets.
The parking meters will be transformed into computerized terminals, similar to those in the downtown Montreal area. Even if the cost of these more modern parking meters is not changed, the borough is planning to adjust the hours of use.
Motorists must now pay to park on the boulevard between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Starting at the end of October, they will also have to do so on weekday evenings until 9 p.m., Saturday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Work, which was to take place at the beginning of last summer, was pushed back until April with costs having largely exceeded those planned at the beginning. "Renovating Decarie is a little more expensive than what was planned at the beginning and that is why we decided to divide the work into four phases, to divide the costs," said Saint-Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa.
An estimate of the costs of work was $2.5 million. They will finally generate expenses of $2.9 million.
"By dividing the work into four stages, we avoid closing the boulevard completely, which facilitates access to motorists and avoids disturbing business during restorations," said Josée Boudreau, in charge of communications in Saint-Laurent.
Traffic will be prohibited in the sector affected by the work, but business will remain accessible at all times to pedestrians.
The first phase will extend between the east side of du College and de l’Eglise streets, the second between the east side of de l’Eglise and Cote Vertu, the third between the west side of Cote Vertu and de l’Eglise and lastly on the west side between de l’Eglise and du College.
The borough wishes to make Decarie Boulevard a choice destination, by benefiting pedestrians and increasing plant coverage. The end of work is planned for October.
(Translated by Michael Beigleman)
