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

To the Administration.

What a bad idea it was to close Camillien Houde. As a 52 year old resident of Montreal, that has been living here her whole life, I am totally against this idea. Leave it OPEN please.

Do NOT close that road that is THE road that allows all kinds of families to access the Mount Royal. No one is actually going to walk up the whole way to get to beaver lake! Honestly! Mount Royal is to be enjoyed, and closing the road completely goes against that idea.

The only point that closing the road panders to is to cyclists who the administration is totally in love with. Enough already! Do you know how many times, as a pedestrian, I almost got run over by a cyclist on Mount Royal! It is outrageous how uncaring and unattentive the cyclists are. It is the cyclists that should be outlawed from using Mount Royal - they are THE real danger to the park. It is not a cyclist training park.

Instead of closing down Camillien Houde, create a closed park for cyclists so that they can go as fast as they can if they want.

I am against the closing of Camillien Houde. Keep it open for all to enjoy the park the way it was meant to be.

And I would like to add that this administration, over all other administrations, I feel is acting as a dictatorship. Valerie puts up the best ever act of showing that she cares, that she listens to Montreals. Not in the least !! You are supposed to respect what the citizens want, not to do whatever YOU want.

The road should be open to cars from one end to the other. However, there are a number of things that could enhance safety. The lanes for the bikes should be protected by using concrete barriers left over from the e-race. Also, the speed limit should be reduced to 40 km and speed bumps should be installed on the straight parts of the roadway. Finally, an increased police presence will keep everything in order.

Although I do not cross the mountain often when I do, it is usually to show some out of town visitors our beautiful city. We need innovative solutions to make it easier to see it, rather than more ways to prevent us or discourage us from wanting to venture out of our suburb.
I am retired and even though I am not on a tight schedule, I find it deplorable to have to leave my home in Lachine at 10:10 am to get to a lunch In town., with my fingers crossed that a bus will. Ome and the Metro is not en panne.

I am against removing private-vehicle through-traffic from Camillien-Houde Way and Remembrance Road.

While there were good intentions with the pilot project, I believe that this was a terrible idea. Access, as it was before the project, is an integral part of the charm of our city. To drive the length of Camillien-Hoode Way across the mountain is a precious joy experienced by both Montrealers and those new to the city. The drive showcases the city in a way that is awe-inspiring. It is a part of all Montrealers' heritage and a boon to our tourist industry.

It seems fairly obvious that the majority of Montrealers have already expressed this opinion. Some speak more forcefully about the convenience of driving across the mountain as one of their day-to-day pleasures. Others talk about the convenience of getting to either of the two parking areas from either side of the mountain. I agree with these comments but it is the sheer beauty of the drive that I missed when the pilot project was in effect. Not everyone is capable of cycling or hiking and for those people, the drive is a life-enhancing event. It is inconceivable that the Executive Committee would proceed against the majority of petitions and comments by its citizens, and yet I fear that this is possible. PLEASE KEEP THE ROAD OPEN TO THROUGH TRAFFIC!

Thank you for the opportunity of expressing my opinion.

David Astrof

If you look at the gazette questionaire there is 82% that want it to be open to traffic
So wathever conclution that the city make by closing it
It prove once again its corrupt and we can do nothing about it

OPINION on Les voies d'accès au Mont Royal (Camillien-Houde / Remembrance)

INTRODUCTION
It is obvious that Mayor Valerie Plant and councillor Luc Ferrandez are biased regarding the results of the pilot project closing Mount-Royal to through automobile traffic. They favor closing our mountain for no valid reason and to the detriment of the general public’s enjoyment. Nearly 38,000 citizens signed a petition against the road closure. This should have already sent a strong message to the mayor. For the public consultation process to be democratic and the subsequent actions taken by the City of Montreal to be fair, the Office de Consultation Publique de Montreal must be completely independent, unbiased, transparent and honest in reporting the consultation’s results.

REASONS FOR KEEPING MOUNT-ROYAL OPEN TO THROUGH CAR TRAFFIC:
1) THERE IS NO TRAFFIC OR SAFETY PROBLEM TO SOLVE: I have been driving over Mont-Royal for many years and have never witnessed any problems with respect to safety or traffic, not even during “rush hours”. What I have noticed however, is an increasing use of our mountain by sports cyclists. These cyclists are not commuters or visitors. They use our mountain for training and have been riding faster and more recklessly over the years and pose a danger to themselves. These cyclists are the ones causing the current city administration to fabricate a safety risk as an excuse to close the road over our mountain. There are no problems with cars. If there was, they could easily be resolved with speed bumps, which I suspect sports cyclists would not like, more signage and designated lanes.

2) CLOSING THE ROAD IS USELESS AND CAUSES COMPLICATIONS: Since the cemetery is on one side of the road and Mount Royal park is on the other side of the road, car traffic poses absolutely no danger to anyone since there are few people crossing the road. Even then, there are stop signs and crosswalks. The road closure created lots of complications for those trying to access the mountain and the cemeteries, and caused many more cars to turn around and go back down the mountain, increasing the frequency and risk of illegal U-turns.

3) CLOSING THE ROAD INCREASES POLLUTION: Because cars could no longer drive over the mountain, traffic on streets going around the mountain increased dramatically. Also, during peak times, there was even more congestion trying to get to and from the mountain’s parking lots since the road between the two was blocked. Idling cars stuck in traffic around the mountain cause much more pollution than smooth flowing traffic over the mountain.

4) CLOSING THE ROAD DISCOURAGES THE PUBLIC AND DECREASES ENJOYMENT: The road closure discouraged many people from visiting Mount-Royal this summer. That’s why Luc Ferrandez said it was so quiet. By closing the road over Mount-Royal, access and enjoyment by the general public was severely reduced. The public was also deprived of the spectacular view of the east end of the city seen when driving over the mountain from the west. Our mountain is for everyone to enjoy, not just for elite cyclists to use as a playground. Mount Royal was already well designed for the masses to enjoy, whether by car, foot or otherwise. PLEASE GIVE US OUR MOUNTAIN BACK!

To Maire Valerie Plante:
Your Ville De Montreal's Pilot project (June 2-to October 31, 2018) was implemented despite the overwhelming citizens petition protesting against closure of Voie Camillien-Houde. But you chose to ignore this petition by many of the citizens who trusted and elected you, including myself. Subsequently, your Administration's decision effected tens of thousands of Montrealers daily forced to seek time delaying alternative routes downtown, already a nightmarish experience. Undoubtedly, costing millions of dollars in lost productivity. Montrealers are prisoners in their own city, under siege by too many road closures already in progress. The last thing we need is this major cross-city artery to also be closed...for the benefit a minority of cycling enthusiasts ? I was deprived of conveniently visiting the Mount Royal Cemetery or enjoying passage of the magnificent city/mountain views along Voie Camillien-Houde. You were elected by a majority of citizens of Montreal to represent their interests. Yet you failed them by ignored the majority's expressed protest prior to this closure. And your future Administration's mission to efface automobile transport/parking by Montreal's citizens downtown appears out of touch with reality. May I remind you, Maire Valerie Plante that you and your present Administration will be voted out of office in the next election, if you continue on this present path.
Thank you for allowing me to voice my strongest protest against your Administration's present proposal.
Beerd Frank van de Werfhorst

I am disheartened that our (my) freedoms as a citizen of Montreal are diminishing. Not only is my right to drive on all roads ( which I pay taxes for ) is taken away ie Camillien-Houde Way-Rememberance Rd. but Mayor Plante and associates seem to be so hard headed by not listening to the majority of us that do not wish the road closure at any time! Please Mayor, do not think that you are acting in my and other's best interest. You are not!
It is sad that a young man was killed on this road but this happened perhaps because there is not enough enforcement
for traffic violations wether by motorized vehicles and cyclists alike. If all roads were to be closed because of a fatal accident, there would be virtually no open roads left to drive on!
The mere fact that the mountain road exists tells me that it was originally thought to be a good idea. It still is.

Thank you for listening.

Lawrence Regan

I am disheartened that our (my) freedoms as a citizen of Montreal are diminishing. Not only is my right to drive on all roads ( which I pay taxes for ) is taken away ie Camillien-Houde Way-Rememberance Rd. but Mayor Plante and associates seem to be so hard headed by not listening to the majority of us that do not wish the road closure at any time! Please Mayor, do not think that you are acting in my and other's best interest. You are not!
It is sad that a young man was killed on this road but this happened perhaps because there is not enough enforcement
for traffic violations wether by motorized vehicles and cyclists alike. If all roads were to be closed because of a fatal accident, there would be virtually no open roads left to drive on!
The mere fact that the mountain road exists tells me that it was originally thought to be a good idea. It still is.

Thank you for listening.

Lawrence Regan

Closing the Camillien-Houde Way to traffic this past summer was a disaster for people wanting to walk, hike, and enjoy the Mountain. Our family has gone to the Mountain every weekend for over 20 years but we rarely went this summer because it was impossible to find parking in the Beaver Lake parking lot and we were blocked from accessing the Smith House parking lot from the west entrance to Camillien-Houde Way. The few times we did go to the Mountain, we had to return to Cote des Neiges, try to find parking on this busy road, and then walk up to the Mountain (instead of having an easy access by parking on the mountain). We noticed that there were VERY FEW people using the mountain, not like in past summers when many families came to picnic, hike, and enjoy our beautiful mountain. When Luc Fernandez claimed that the project was a huge success one wonders who it a success for. With 36,000 people petitioning AGAINST this closure to traffic, and only 8,300 people in agreement for it, what makes it a huge success? It certainly was not what the majority of mountain users liked, because they couldn't access their mountain. Perhaps it was good for cyclists, but they number far fewer than the general population of our city! Is the mountain for the select few who ride bikes, or is it for EVERYONE to enjoy?

Consultation spokes-person Anik Pouliot reports that this consultation is expected to draw in excess of 12,000 participants which is MUCH LARGER (by 7,000) than any other consultation process. Clearly this project is disturbing for many people. The people of Montreal are saying a loud NO to the proposed closing of Camilline-Houde Way to through traffic. Is the mayor listening to us? We are very upset about losing our beloved Mountain to an ill-conceived project that blocks our access to this gem of our city.

Monica Shapiro

I do not think the road should be closed to through traffic. I had difficulty accessing Mount Royal Cemetery this summer due to the road closure, and also showing the mountain to out of town visitors.. I would suggest a protected lane for bikes. and leaving the road open.

Camillien-Houde is the only real ascent for cyclists in the city without traffic lights or stop signs. I ride up and down every few days in the summer, and there's a real safety issue. It's not about traffic though, it's the width and quality of asphalt on the shoulder around the turn near the top where the road narrows.

As I see it, if the shoulder has plenty of space and smooth pavement (which is the case from the bottom to the lookout), whether through traffic is allowed doesn't concern me much. Closing the route to through traffic could certainly create more serene environment in the park if the through road up top was demolished and replaced with something like a foot/bicycle path through a well-designed green space, but from a safety point of view, the real problem is the small section of road above the lookout where it narrows and the shoulder is in poor condition.

I would prefer to keep the road open across the mountain to allow our visitors to Montreal, families with small children in strollers, and families with disabled members in wheelchairs, accessibility to the chalet area and the lookout, in their own vehicles with safe and adapted seating. City buses are not ideal for this.
It may be possible to make bike lanes safer by installing dividers [low concrete strips] but bikers must also pay attention to pedestrians especially children and adults with reduced mobility - too often bicyclists barrel along with no regard for the safety of others [or themselves].
Since the road was blocked, I have not visited the mountain - usually I have several visits in summer with family and friends to show them the beautiful views, the birds, squirrels and raccoons. it was too difficult this year.

I urgently request that the mountain thoroughfare remain open to automobiles (mount royal Ave across to Cote de Neiges)

This project was a failure with no benefits at all.Access to the park was reduced and traffic was made worse.There was no increase in safety.
Only a blind willful and stubborn city administration could fail to acknowledge the stupidity of what's been done.

I feel the mountain is a beautiful way for all people travel, be it car, bike or feet! A proper bike path would help protect bikers and of course both motorists and cyclists must respect speed limits. Perhaps a radar for both cyclist and motorists would help!

I also feel that taking away the option for motorists also builds up more traffic on other routes, espically during our construction riddled city.

Hi, thank you for letting us express our opinions on the project. I am an avid biker and use the mountain 3 times a week during the summer for exercise. Although I appreciate the attempt to make it more friendly for bikers and pedestrians I truly believe the implementation was handled so poorly the project increased the amount of danger for the people you were aiming to protect.

I would say there was a 5x increase in the number of illegal U-Turns on the road leading over the mountain (I have video of a bunch people making them if you want) due to French only signage. Most people driving the mountain, especially on the weekend, are Anglo tourists and they had no idea what a Cul-de-Sac was and therefore made illegal U-turns, the same which killed the biker last year. If I can make a few suggestions - I’m happy to provide a more comprehensive explanation if it’s not clear - they would be:

1- keep mounting open to thru traffic all week, only close it on the weekend when there is a constant flow of bikers/hikers. Weekdays doesn’t have a consistent flow of bikers and walkers, might as well use it as a road as long as you do...

2-they need to put a cement block meridian over the entire mountain pass wherever there are two lanes. By only having a partial lane, drivers will continue making illegal turns. With cement blocks they will be physicallly stopped.

3-very clear signage for ‘dead-end’ with the schedule of when thru traffic will be blocked (ideally Friday midnight to Sunday at midnight) in English and French. Plus police enforcing theses rules. I saw a bunch of times cops on horses in the horse pen at the station on the mountain yelling at drivers but not giving out tickets. People need to feel like if they break the law, they’ll be fined.

4-more info on a Montreal website indicating the schedule/rules.

Thank you for your time

I feel very strongly that the roadway should REMAIN OPEN 12 months of the year. I do not use it every day but there are also hundreds of other roads in Montreal that I do not use everyday. Bicycle riders are killed or injured on them as well. Does it make sense to close them as well. However when I do need to use the roadway " I DO NEED TO USE IT".
I reside in the west end and USED to frequent some of the businesses in the Plateau and Mile end but no longer ie: Philinos rest. on Park Ave. Chez Doval on Marie Anne and St Viateur Bagel etc,etc. I was forced to look for and found satisfactory replacements for these and other businesses closer to home. While I feel bad for the businesses there ( former friends and neighbours ) and don't mind going a little out of my way,there are limits and I must do what is most convenient for me. This plan will not reduce traffic ONLY move it to our other already congested streets. I hope someone is listening.

Thank you

Park road

In reviewing the arguments submitted on the online consultation platform, it becomes clear that the definition of the “park road” concept is not the same for everyone. In your opinion, what is a park road and who should be allowed to use it?
TODAY'S ROAD OVER THE MOUNTAIN WORKS WELL FOR EVERYONE. A PARK ROAD ALOWS CAR TO LEISURELY DRIVE THROUGH THE PARK AND ENJOY THE VIEWS.

Sharing the road

On the online consultation platform, a great many of you pointed out that sharing the road is important and that we must ensure the safety of all users. In your opinion, which groups of users should currently be protected as a priority? What developments should be made to Camillien-Houde Way and Remembrance Road to achieve that objective?
PEDSETRIANS ARE THE PRIORITY.
ONE SECTION THAT COULD BE IMPROVED FOR PEDESTRIANS IS TO MAKE A PROPER WALKWAY BESIDE CAMILLIEN-HOUDE BELOW THE EASTERN LOOKOUT THAT LEADS INTO THE FOREST. THIS COULD ALSO BE USED FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS.


Public transit

Do you have any suggestions as to how to promote the use of public transit to get to the mountain?
THERE SHOULD BE SOME BUSES ADVERTISED IN THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM THAT GO TO THE MOUNTAIN.

Parking

What do you think of the current parking offering on the mountain? Can we really talk about optimal parking management knowing that on weekends when the weather is nice the parking lots are overflowing and during the week they are practically empty?
PARKING IS ADEQUATE. SOMETIMES IT WILL GET BUSIER THAN OTHERS.
ADDITIONAL PARKING COULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE ARMORY ON COTE DES NEIGES ON WEEKENDS.

With a view to reducing the number of vehicles on the mountain, what do you think of the idea suggested by some participants to make parking lots adjacent to the mountain available to users of the mountain? Either by improving the traffic signals in their vicinity, for example for pedestrians, or by establishing a shuttle linking them to various points of interests or other nearby parking lots?
WE DO NOT NEED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON THE MOUNTAIN.
SHUTTLE BUSES ARE A STUPID IDEA AS THIS WOULD GREATLY REDUCE THE SERENITY OF THE MOUNTAIN, BE COSTLY AND MAKE IT MORE COMPLICATED FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS THE MOUNTAIN.
WE DO NOT NEED TO TREAT PEOPLE LIKE CATTLE BY HERDING THEM INTO SHUTTLE BUSES.
THE PUBLIC WANTS FREEDOM TO ACCESS THE MOUNTAIN AS WE HAVE TODAY.

Universal accessibility

How can we ensure universal accessibility? What should be done first?
THE MOUNTAIN IS CURRENTLY VERY ACCESSABLE TO EVERYONE. IT WAS DESIGNED FOR THE PUBLIC.
THERE IS NO NEED TO FIX WHAT IS NOT BROKEN.

New layouts for roadways

Are there any developments/layouts that you would like to improve or add?
NO. THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE IS PERFECTLY ADEQUATE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE ROAD OVER THE MOUNTAIN OPEN TO CARS TO ENSURE SMOOTH CIRCULATION.
THERE IS NO NEED TO SPEND TAXPAYERS MONEY ON MORE INFRASTRUTURE.

Many participants mentioned on the online consultation platform and during the creative workshops that drivers are still making U-turns around the entrance and exit of the Camillien-Houde lookout. In your opinion, what measures could be implemented to prevent U-turns around the lookout?
THE SOLUTION IS VERY SIMPLE: ADD MORE "NO U-TURN" SIGNS" AT THAT LOCATION AND MAYBE INSTALL A PATROLMAN THERE.

Landscape, heritage and attractiveness

Do you have any suggestions to highlight this emblematic site?

During the creative workshops, some participants suggested that access roads to the park should be enhanced, either with better traffic signals/signage or visibility of pathways and north and south access routes, or by developing the east and west entrances. What do you think about that?
ACCESS TO THE MOUNTAIN IS PERFECTLY ADEQUATE TODAY.
CONSULTATIONS SHOULD BE HELD WITH LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE.

Environment

How can we protect the mountain’s fauna and flora while making it accessible to all those who want to enjoy this green space at the heart of the city?
LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE ARE DOING A GREAT JOB OF PROTECTION THE MOUNTAIN.
MOUNTAIN BIKERS AND CYCLISTS SHOULD BE PREVENTED FROM RIDING THROUGH THE FOREST.
SOME OF THE PATHS COULD BE IMPROVED.

This is again an assault on the older generation of Montreal tax payers and citizens who are not part of the Mayors bicycle generation. We have paid our taxes and deserve to have our views taken seriously, and not disregarded by people who were only elected due to a major dislike of the previous mayors arrogance, not his policies.

The road over the mountain is the only way people of my generation can enjoy the mountain, and you want to take that away. The young man who died, died because he was speeding. The car that made the illegal U turn was an American tourist who most likely could not read the French only warning. Last but not least the erection of a concrete road divider in the centre of the road would have eliminated this danger for all. But that would not have been enough, you seem to want this mountain only for the young, shame on you.

Closing the road this summer resulted in an empty mountain rarely used by the few bicyclists who you claim should be protected. When wanting to visit the cemetery to view my family plot, it took me an hour due to traffic obstructions on every east west road due to construction. Again, shame on you.

There will be another election, and you will go. You cannot be the Mayor of one generation only.

I am completely against the closing Camillien Houde and Remembrance to through traffic. This is an important roadway for vehicular traffic and allows for easy access to the mountain for all. The war against cars that the city has been waging for many years must stop.

I have been a citizen of Montreal for over 70 years. I love our Mont Royal. I have been running on the mountain (all year long) for over 25 years. My children learned to skate on Beaver lake and we used to go for long walks all over the mountain. I have lived mostly in the West end of our city and have used the mountain road to cross the city to do much shopping on ave du Parc, St-Laurent as well as St. Denis. The drive over the mountain has always been enjoyable as well as convenient. I have taken many visiting friends from abroad (from Europe and the U.S.) across the mountain to show them our beautiful city from high up. This is also the route I have used when taking tourists shopping in the east end. I would like the roads that cross over Mount Royal to REMAIN OPEN ALL YEAR LONG!

I am opposed to your proposed road closure of the Camilian Houde Parkway.

This roadway was planned for years.It was eventually completed, to the delight of all Montrealers, whatever their origins or place of habitation in our greater city in honour of a popular Mayor of long service. It represents an important part of our city’s heritage and green spaces. It is a park that I & thousands of others have regularly enjoyed every year since I was since I was 7 years old.

Your proposed changes will destroy accessibility to the heart & core of that space, as well as divide and segregate its use: citizens of western Montreal will have serious difficulties to get to the eastern side and be deprived of its marvellous panoramic views whereas those of the eastern part will find it almost impossible to get to Beaver Lake.

And what of access by DISABLED or SENIORS to all parts of the park, or the access that currently exists to the cementaries along that route?? The consequences of the proposed plan are negative for most citizens except for bicyclists in training according to your own reports.....

There is grossly insufficient PARKING for cars - which results in nasty incidents or road rage. PUBLIC TRANSPORT is also seriously deficient and difficult to connect with, board, disembark.

As for the BIKERS, the lanes to which they have access are too narrow . badly indicated or located. Is blocking vehicular traffic on the parkway the only way to afford them better protection? I think not. Why not provide them with their own lanes, better signage, and/or reserving specific hours for the exclusive use of cyclists - like 6:00 to 8:OOAM from Monday to Friday. Other than those reservations, all citizens should have access at all times to the rest of the roadway and park.

In addition. the the rules for AUTOMOBILES can also be modified to protect pedestrians and accommodate cyclists.
Why not more speed bumps, stop signs or traffic lights, cameras, the banning of all form of TRUCKS or COMMERCIAL traffic, stricter fines, and rigid enforcement. That way everyone could BENEFIT from use of the entire length of a safe roadway, the natural environment be preserved, while our city can PROFIT from the infractions. This, in my view constitutes a WIN-WIN situation for everybody.

It is true that there is more traffic on the route than was foreseen. It is also true that, sadly, a life was lost by a cyclist along the route.But that was only a second incident in over 50 years, and caused by unclear signage installed by the city!! If these are the reasons for partial or seasonal closure of the parkway, how does your plan correct this??

The extra traffic on the parkway is the result of lack of controls and lamentable road planning of previous, and unfortunately the current administration. How can 2 east -west routes in central/downtown Montreal, like the parkway and Dr. Penfield be simultaneously closed while there are also repairs being made on Sherbrooke between Guy & University? The result of such short-sightedness is to redirect that traffic to other over-burdened routes, causing massive traffic jams and seriously stressing our citizens: unfair, inefficient, unjustified, unacceptable....

Please cancel your plan! We the citizens have spoken! There is no shame in changing or cancelling your plans to accommodate the wishes of Montrealers. It would be an enviable example of our democratic process in our wonderful city.

It is completely unacceptable to close Camellien-Houde, depriving us all of the enjoyment of this panoramic route, a unique Montreal experience, and making it significantly more difficult for people to access and enjoy the mountain. The road runs between the recreational area and the cemeteries (access to which is also more difficult with the closure) and does not cross or interfere with the use of either side. It is essentially the only access to the mountain and the only east-west route over the mountain. There is no benefit to the closure which justifies depriving the city of the use of this road to cross or access the mountain. There is no reduction in the use of cars, simply a rerouting of traffic, resulting in longer driving times and increase in pollution, if anything. It does not add to the use and enjoyment of the mountain itself, it is not necessary (or even useful) as a safety measure, more appropriate measures have been suggested in many forums. The use of this route by a few elite cyclists who are often more of a menace to pedestrians than cars, and who have been using the road for years, is an excuse not a reason. The attitude of the current administration and comments in support of the closure make it clear that the disadvantages to motorists are not a by product, they are the real motivation for this project.

Please keep it open to cars