Les voies d'accès au mont Royal (Camillien-Houde / Remembrance)

1. Please allow through-traffic of cars over the mountain.
Driving over the mountain even within the confines of a car is rewarding, please don't deprive drivers of this.

2. Keep the speed limit to a minimum and enforce it by whatever means possible.

3. Please find a safe way to have the road shared by cars and bikes, they both can co-exist as they do throughout the city.

4. The parking lots in their present state are adequate, there will never be a perfect solution.

5. In addition to cars can free or inexpensive shuttle busses be tested to reduce road traffic?

6. Central Park, New York continues to have automobile traffic crossing the park, it still works.

7. Rather than trying to prevent U-turns consider the opposite: a u-turn option at strategic points (perhaps a round-about) and large signs pointing out this feature, alongside have a separate bike road that can avoid the automobile traffic in that area.

TO WHOM IT WILL CONCERN

The following proposals should be considered to improve the access to Mt. Royal
and insure the protection of the environment.

1. The institution of a system of shuttle buses to connect Parc Avenue and Cote des Neiges
road.

2 New Parking lots on both sides of the mountain to limit the use of the road.

3. A system of limited access to visitors with cars who would then use the parking lots available
now. When these parking lots are full, no more cars would be allowed to come. This will require
a system for control and supervision.

4. A publicity campaign to explain the policy and program to the Montreal population.

5. Cyclists should be encouraged to use the road, but warned to ride safely to avoid accidents.

6. Regular review of how well the new measures are working and changes when indicated.

The ill conceived and ill timed pilot project only confirmed the need for the mountain - Camillien Houde road to remain open to cars and public transportation at all times.

* A park road is one that should be shared with the whole Mtl community- drivers, walkers, bikers, public transportation users. Green space and road space are separate issues and should not impede one from the other. Case in point- Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth park, a jewel of botanical and recreational spaces, has a major road thoroughfare that connects one area of the city to another and shares the space successfully with all the above mentioned users. This is done within a driving culture of MUTUAL RESPECT for both vehicle and pedestrian- giving right of way to pedestrian. (which is not negate the role of vehicle)
Unfortunately Montreal's driving culture needs to be built upon a mutual respect. If U-Turns are problematic, the proper barriers and signage should be in place to deter this illegal and unsafe practice. The tragic accident that spurred this drastic measure of closing the mountain to cars is such a knee jerk response. Professional urban, road planners have to be forward thinking and open to finding solutions that will not only rectify traffic flow and safety issues, but will instill a mindset of reciprocal respect for for parties. Nothing is ever achieved from a negative or punitive point of view.
* Parking -once again drivers are being punished by taking away parking spots.This is not a good idea. As it stands now parking doesn't infringe on the green space.s
* The present structure of the mountain road from a one way directional on both sides to a now 2awy direction is baffling. For several years now we cross over the mountain on one side while the other part of the road, closest to the park remains empty of traffic, pedestrians, skiers etc. The traffic flow could certainly be rectified but redesigning the roadways, (while incorporating green space. )

* Universal Accessibility - handicap access to the Mountain and to the chalet and Belvedere in particular, is very poorly conceived. It is still limited to the parking lot because there is a barrier on the road (accessed from Cote des Neiges) The only way to bring a wheelchair to the Pavillon is from the parking lot and pushing the chair to the park. Ridiculous. Handicap visitors should be able to access Beaver Lake and Belvedere without obstacles.

* In summation, The mountain MUST be made more user friendly to all- whatever the preferred choice of access is. But there should be no hierarchy of choice- pedestrian or public transportation doesn't trump drivers or bikers. Hopefully the planners will be more inclusive and positive thinking in their outreach and execution. Allowing families to access cemeteries, Pavillions, and grounds without obstacles, would be a step in the right direction.

Good day,

I believe that the Camillien-Houde Way should be open to road traffic as it has always been (i.e. before its temporary closure). I say so for many reasons:

1) It is incorrect to close it the way for the blatant and reproachable behaviour of one driver.

2) We have a problem in Montreal with road-sharing. Both vehicular and bike drivers are reckless. This is a generalized
problem, despite having clear traffic rules. However, the police do not enforce traffic rules (indeed, the police rarely even get out of their vehicles). By definition, the closure of the Camillien-Houde Way pointed to the overt negligence of enforcement - the SPVM cavalry unit is right around the corner!!! What on earth are they doing?

3) New and clearer signage is required. Sensitization is required. The closure of the road is not.


4) The suggestion that the closure of the road will benefit the 'environment' is particularly questionnable. Indeed, it is a deflection. The entire mountain is, and has been for decades, completely anthropocentrically-altered. The road traffic changes absolutely nothing from an environmental perspective. The road will have little effect regarding the protection of the already highly-altered flora and fauna of the mountain.

Cutting off vehicular traffic on Camillien Houde divided the city I love. Forget about the fact that I no longer went to the Outremont, plateau area for shopping and dinning. Like most Montrealers, the mountain is a significant part of my Montreal experience. I won cross country running races there, as a teen. My grant father would walk there every day .
My favourite view of the city is just past the Smith house overlooking the cemetery, Universite de Montreal etc.. It is a view that competes with any Tuscan scene.
November 1 st at 1:00 am , I woke up to go for a drive over my beloved mountain. The feeling of of overwhelming joy , of being reunited with a long lost friend. It felt so right, so moving ,to again be able to reconnect with my lost love.
Please, in these divisive and uncertain times, let everyone enjoy the whole city, and not just some parts. The mountain should be fully accessible to everyone, not just a select few. Thank you

the roadway should remain open to all forms of transportation. Solutions to cut down traffic volume could include:

Speed bumps
more stop signs
ticketing police presence

solutions to bife lanes could include developing the "second roadway" that was closed several years ago and was supposed to be developed for cyclists. This was never implemented. As it stands cars and bikes have to share some very narrow stretches of road

Place barriers between road and bike path.

Acknowledge that unlike new york parks where climate and level ground encourages walkers and bikers of all ages, our "mountain" bikeway is not feasable for most people except for the very young and the very fit.

Acknowledge that with all the street work (present and proposed) an alternate route is neccesary to cut down on jams and even more pollution.

Acknowledge that the families who like to picnic and otherwise take advantage of the park are sorely disadvantaged if they are expected to lug their children, stollers, picnic baskets, grandparents, dogs and other equipment by bus.

I was talking to a neighbour who said she supported the closure because she had enjoyed being on the mountain so much last summer as hardly anyone was up there. I suggested that maybe this was because people who would normally enjoy their time felt discouraged to go, she admitted that she hadn't thought of that...

I wish to protest the possible closing off, once again, the access to Mt. Royal for all but exalted, fully privileged bike warriors. The regular folks get treated like worker drones unworthy of the site while these guys race at breakneck speed through one of Montreal’s last natural havens. So unfair!

It is my opinion that there is no valid reason to limit current traffic along this through Road. No convincing argument for limiting traffic has been presented . I strongly request that the proposition be withdrawn.

I am AGAINST the closure of the access road across the mountain.

This project does not improve safety of users as the reason for its closure was an accident caused by a TOURIST to Montreal and a bicyclist who was going down too fast.

I was unable to use Camillien-Houde road and therefore did not visit the mountain nor the Laurier shopping street because of horrific traffic construction and traffic on other access roads.

PLEASE do not go ahead with this project.

Thank you
James L. Luck

Hello,

I believe that the mountain road, and the ability to navigate its entire distance from one end to the other, in both directions, must be available to all citizens regardless of their preferred mode of transportation. This road, in its entirety, is one of the most beautiful and distinguishing features of Montreal. The ability to drive across it and to access the various parking lots and cemeteries by all modes of transportation, from both directions, must be the 1st priority, and is the only way to show respect to all citizens

Having said the above, I do consider that ensuring the safety of all visitors using the road and the park to be of paramount importance. The development of dedicated bike paths to physically separate bike and car traffic should be implemented quickly. This should be coupled with strict speed controls for BOTH types of transportation (I consistency see cyclists traveling downhill in both directions at excessive, reckless, and even lethal speeds to both themselves, other cyclists, and pedestrians as well). Similarly, cars can be physically prevented from making U-Turns for much of the roadway (we already can see some of this on certain curves on the road). Automobile speed limits should be reduced and enforced with radar and cameras, as is done on parts of Cote-des-Neiges road to great effect. Please note that I am a recreational cyclist as well as a car driver, so I fully appreciate both sides of this issue.

Beyond this, as someone who has been enjoying the mountain his entire life, I do encourage the city to continually improve the beauty and accessibility of the park. As a man who is close to 60 years old, I can tell you that what is easy and accessible to a much younger person, may not be the same for middle aged and older people. The addition of more paths and even electric tramways to help people move around the park (for example: from Beaver Lake to the main lookout) would be a welcome addition. Establishing additional parking lots adjacent the park with frequent free shuttle service for all is also, in my opinion, a wonderful idea (as long as these parking lots do not infringe upon or exacerbate Montreal's already difficult traffic situation).

I sincerely hope that the city administration will truly respect and reflect the true will of most of its citizens with respect to this, and other issues, even if it runs counter to the personal lifestyle or political preferences of some of our elected officials.
Thank you.

Please register my vote AGAINST the closure of Camillien-Houde road for any amount of time.

This was not an acceptable procedure and did NOT reflect the opinions of a Majority of Montrealers.

It inhibited the access to the mountain to many families and detracted from the use by many taxpaying citizens.

It is UNACCEPTABLE to go ahead with a decision when so many residents were against it. You were elected to represent us and not bully us with your own views.

Please act in accordance with the opinions of the people who voted you in!

Pamela Luck

Like many friends and neighbours in NDG, where I have lived since moving to this city from Toronto in 1986, I was dismayed that the road across Mont-Royal was closed to traffic. It has been one of the joys of living in Montréal to drive across the mountain and take in the spectacular views over the city I love. Visitors from out-of-town also thrill at this astonishing natural landmark. Many of my visitors, elderly relatives, would not have been able experience that pleasure during five months this year. It distressed me that commercial vehicles/tour buses could traverse the mountain, while private citizens could not.

I use the city widely to visit friends, shop for food, frequent restaurants and cafés, galleries, and bookshops, etc. The mountain road provides a calm and very beautiful route across town, and I have used it several times each week for decades. This summer, with the road’s closure and the road construction surrounding the mountain, it was beyond frustrating to get to, for example, Jean-Talon Market to buy fresh vegetables from producers with whom I have been dealing since arriving in Montréal. All with whom I spoke stated that their sales had been negatively affected this past season, as regular customers were not prepared to make the trek across town now that the mountain was closed to them. When I did venture out to the Plateau or Mile End, , I was forced to drive through either Westmount or Outrement. These are lovely neighbourhoods, but are not laid out for the numbers of cars that had no choice but to drive through these residential streets. This also represents more of a safety risk to pedestrians and cyclists than crossing the mountain, I would think.

Surely a solution can be found, one which respects the rights of all citizens, no matter their means of transportation. The park road, which like all roads in this city, is meant to be shared by cars, buses, hearses, trucks, bicylcles, etc. Elsewhere in the city, when it has been considered hazardous for motorized vehicles and bicycles to share a roadway, bicycle lanes have been constructed. I applaud this as I bicycle as well as drive and walk. I would suggest that the speed limit for drivers (and for cyclists) over the mountain be enforced, that a dedicated bicycle lane be developed, and that a friendly and safe system for pedestrians be accommodated.

And perhaps the road can be closed for a limited period of time on Sunday mornings, as is done in Ottawa where from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm, fifty kilometers of roadway are given over to the exclusive use of cyclists, walkers, runners, etc. When I lived there in the 1970s, that freedom to cycle throughout the parkways of the city and surroundings was a delight. It was a true sharing of the roads, and has been in effect since 1970.

In conclusion, I am against closing CamillienHoude and Remembrance Road to cars; we need to encourage our citizens to experience and use more of the city, rather than less; providing safe acces to do so should be our common goal.

Question #1/ Montreal is an east-west running city. By stopping through-traffic on the mountain - one of the few main ways of traversing the city - you are effectively chopping the city in two. Therefore, I believe through-traffic should be available at ALL times. Cars should share the road with cyclists and if possible, there should be a designated lane for bicycles that is properly separated from the car lane.

#3/ There should not be a designated priority group.

#7/ As mentioned above, a bicycle lane should be added in both directions. Also, if you want to stop people from making U-turns, there should be an officer present at all times able to issue extremely high fines.

Last Question/ If the speed is properly monitored for both cars and cyclists, it should not only make the mountain safer but also help protect the mountain's flora and fauna as well as making the cemeteries accessible to everyone.

I live downtown and don't own a car. I have enjoyed many years walking on Mount Royal and never have been bothered by cars using crossing over the mountain as the park has more than enough car-free areas for pedestrians and cyclists. I find this recent road closure stupid for several reasons, i.e.:

1) The closure impedes access to the cemetery from the west end (i.e., Cotes-des-neiges Rd.);
2) It makes it difficult for cars to easily access the various lookouts;
3) It makes it extremely complicated for people who drive up to picnic with their families on Mount Royal.

Moreover, the road closure does not prevent people from making U-turns or speeding. If the city wants to cut down on traffic and accidents, reduce and ENFORCE speed limits. Montreal police is lazy when it comes to enforcing speed limits. As a pedestrian, I am astounded at how fast people drive in this city and how lax the police is about this problem.

I sincerely hope that the city does not repeat this exercise in stupidity next summer. I had high hopes for Plante's government, but feel that her administration is not up to the task.

It is essential that the entire Camillien-Houde roadway be accessible at all times to every single person who would like to use it, either in an automobile or on a bicycle.
it is one of the great pleasures of Montreal to drive or cycle through the length of this roadway.
Janis Brownstein

I would like to have Remembrance Road and Camilien Houde Road open to through traffic for everyone, cars, bicycles and pedestrians. Surely we can find a way to have a bicycle lane, a sidewalk, and a lane for cars so that everyone can enjoy this City's wonderful greenspace with safety and convenience in mind. Because one careless motorist accidentally killed a cyclist, the rest of us should not have to suffer the consequences in the illogical manner the City chose for its pilot project. As a senior citizen, I ask the City to please, please, find a better way.

It is a fine plan except if you do it again please co-ordinate with road works and maintenance first to ensure the smooth flow of traffic on alternate routes.

I believe that the road should remain open to through traffic. I live in the east end of the city. It was very difficult for me to get to the Cote des Neiges Cemetery this summer as a result of the closure. Each time that I made the trip to the cemetery to water the flowers I was subject to detour after detour. It took me between an hour and an hour and a half to make the trip that normally would take 30 to 40 minutes. How is that protecting the environment when I am spending more time in my car ? Cyclists are not the only people who should be using the road. There are many other things that could be implemented:
1-lower the speed limit for both motorists and cyclists
2-add tolls at each end
3-restrict cars during the week but allow through traffic on weekends and holidays
We are all conscious of the effects of pollution on the environment but banning cars from the mountain is not helping the cause when people have to spend more time in their cars getting around the city due to all the detours that one has to put up with. Perhaps this question should be revisited when Montreal roads are in decent shape. In the meantime things should stay as they are.

The impact of the project was overwhelmingly negative. For my family, visiting the lookout became too long a trip to be worth it, and visiting the cemetery from the north side of the city was unnecessarily difficult. While I love walking and biking on the mountain, the road closure was a benefit mainly to "elite" cyclists, or those training to be "elite," rather than the common person. As a cyclist, I would have been satisfied with a separated bike lane along the park road. The closure negatively affected accessibility to the mountain, while benefiting only a few people. While the traffic on the park road needs to be calmed, a more creative solution is necessary. Everyone should be able to easily access the mountain.
The bus is not practical or reliable for most people to use to get to the mountain, as it serves a very limited area and requires multiple transfers for most people to use. Long term, some kind of tram system would be preferable.

Dear members of the commission,

I am writing to say that I want the roadway (Camillien-Houde) to remain open to the public. Being able to drive over the mountain and being afforded views of our beautiful city is part of the cachet of Montreal. I always enjoy it and I love showing it off to my visitors. I think a dedicated lane for cyclists, protected by a cement barrier would deal with that danger. The road closures in the east-west direction has created an ongoing problem and access over the mountain is a desperately needed alternative.

I think air quality should be monitored and the question should be reexamined once the major roadwork has been completed 2020???

Dear Sir / Madam,

BRAVO and thank you to the Plante Administration for the successful pilot project regarding limiting automobiles on the C. Houde / Remembrance Axis.

The project was a significant success because it made Parc Mont-Royal a much better park. If this was the intent, then the pilot project was a resounding success.

Specifically:

• Reduced noise – Wow! Fantastic to experience the peace and quiet due the reduction of automobiles.

• Increased Safety – I often ride my bicycle on the mountain. This includes the C. Houde / Remembrance Axis, as well as on the mountain itself. The increase in safety was exponential. I felt more safe than I ever have before.

• Easy Access – When necessary I had no problem accessing the Park with a vehicle from either Cote-des-Neiges or Parc Ave. I also regularly visit the cemetery and had no issue accessing it. Access to all aspects of the park was simple, effective, easy.

• New Ways to Enjoy the Park – The hammocks and viewing platforms were a wonderful addition. In particular, the NW facing viewing platform on the top of C. Houde; a spectacular place to enjoy a peaceful sunset.

Again, thank you to the Plante administration for this bold and intelligent pilot project. I believe it was an absolute success because it made Parc Mont-Royal a significantly better park. I hope this seasonal closure of the C. Houde / Remembrance Axis to cross-mountain vehicle traffic will become a permanent policy.

Thank you,

Bruce Torrey

I am a year-round cyclist. I love running and biking up the mountain. And even I am shocked by the poor decision to close the mountain road to through-way traffic.

It reminds me of what Fernandez has done with the Plateau. I have lived on the Plateau for twenty years and I have witnessed how it has become more and more difficult for drivers to get around, which I can only imagine affects people’s desire to shop in the neighbourhood, which endangers more mom and pop shops that make the neighbourhood unique. It has become a maze of one-ways that makes it difficult to get from point A to B... And the longer it takes someone to get from one place to another doesn’t help the envriroment! Same with the mountain... less roads means more traffic jams which means more pollution.

Some of your questions are frustratingly manipulative: “which group of users should currently be protected as a priority?” That’s a question that will result in a misleading answer. Of course drivers will never be the one’s who are a priority when it comes to being protected. So of course the balabace of that answer can be interpreted as “the majority of people believe that cyclist safety is the primary concern”. And that will lead to... “most people believe that through-way circulation should be terminated to protect cyclists.”

Let me make it clear... I as a cyclist would like to see a clearer demarcation between a bike path and the road for cars. I can imagine that there is a way to make that work. It would involve having cyclists on one side of the road and perhaps an overpass for them at the Eastern look out. Possibly? If they are biking that route they can handle an overpass. But the road should continue to be open to through-way traffic.

Thank you.

I disagree with the closure of camellien-Houde st over the mountain. There are many different options to protect bikers and pedestrians from cars. first and foremost I believe the needs to be a meridian separating traffic on the east side of the mountain. This would make the route up from mt royal st. dummy proof and stop u turns around the east lookout. The second obvious solution would build a bike path. These are not expensive solutions and would open the mountain to all types of travellers.
Thank you Jeff Nichol

Under NO circumstances should it be considered acceptable to BAN through-traffic on the mountain. There are many alternatives that can be implemented to continue to allow traffic while ensure the access roads are SAFE for all.



Sharing the road:

Pedestrians and bikers need to be protected more effectively. As is already the case for a portion of the road, the entire Camillien-Houde road should have a PHYSICAL DIVIDER (CEMENT BLOCKS), ensuring that cars will not make a U-turn. In addition, larger no U-turn signs should be placed in ENGLISH AND FRENCH (remember that the recent biker was killed by an American driver who likely could not read the no u-turn signs). In addition, flexible cones can be placed between the road descending Camilien-Houde and the should of the road where bikers descend the moutain. This would provide slightly better protecting for the bikers from the cars.



Public transit

Make public transit to the mountain FREE.




New layouts for roadways:

Make all of Camillien-Houde a divided road with the same cement blocks that are currently there.




Environment:
Put an animal bridge over the top of the Camillien-Houde roadway to allow animals to cross safely. Animal bridges have been proven to safely allow animals to cross over roads and promote diversity of species by allowing animals from different areas to interbreed.

To whom it may concern.
I want the road over the mountain left open to cars in both directions 12 months a year.
I have used the park many times with my family.
I have shown visitors the pretty views from up top then travelled the road to continue on my tour of the other areas. To not have road access makes it appealing.
I have lived in Montreal for 60 years.