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

It is disheartening and predictable that both the Montreal mayor and the arrondissement mayor have already declared this project a success - without even waiting to read the results of this survey and blithely and cynically ignoring other polls which suggest that this pilot project did not even succeed it its basic declared goal of creating a passage safe for vehicles and cyclists alike.

It is useful to cite other cities and other examples of this particular problem but only to a point: Montreal is unique, it's traffic problems are unique and solutions to them should reflect the reality that citizens here face day-to-day. One issue which should be obvious and very clear is that the pilot project in no way proved or offered a real solution to the issue of cars and cyclists sharing the same road up and down the mountain. As anyone who did use the truncated route can easily testify: cars and cyclists shared the road with the same degree of danger to both, during the pilot program as before the pilot program. There was no substantial difference except, perhaps, a reduction in car traffic. If that was the point to this pilot program, then it can be said to have succeeded: blocking all traffic would have been a greater success so why go through the charade of a partial pilot project. Any child could have predicted this "success."

This is what I, as a tax-paying, but ill-served citizen observed: the construction of more elaborate "cafés" or rest areas at the Eastern lookout. The construction and commercial exploitation of a new rest area/café overlooking the "northern" sector of the city... and not much else. Was the hidden agenda of the pilot program to open the entire mountain to more commercial exploitation? And who had the honour of getting the contract to build and run these extended facilities?

And how must we react to a citywide administration which allowed uncoordinated construction and infrastructure repair in an apparent "willy-nilly" manner on Sherbrooke, Cote St-Catherine and Penfield/avenue des Pins while at the same time blocking through access on Camillien Houde, thus creating the most chaotic traffic problems I have ever seen in my much assaulted city? They mayor allowed this situation to develop and then pointed her cynical finger at the traffic as being an insurmountable problem. The truth is, now that some of the infrastructure projects have wound down, traffic in Montreal is almost back to normal - which is to say one can actually navigate the city within the norms of the past.

If there was a real desire to honestly respond to the stated need for a secure route for both cyclists and cars, there are many obvious choices that could have been made to the cross mountain route. Real, protected, exclusive bike lanes could have been created. Even limiting vehicle access to week days and evenings could have been a measured and fait response. But it is clear that the mayor and her arrogant cronies are uninterested in fairness toward the citizens who pay their taxes and observe quiet civility. They are far more concerned with satisfying the caprices of an elite lobby who care only for themselves and their interests and care not for their fellow citizens. And yes, this is an East/West issue, not to mention, English/Newly immigrated French! The mayor cannot even be honest in the face of a substantial, dare I say majority opinion against her pilot project. she declares it a success. The true agenda is to eliminate all cars from Montreal roads and it is clear she sees this as a victory toward that goal. It is a mark of her deeply flawed and dishonest character that she doesn't state this simply and clearly and that she hid it during the election period.

The route over the mountain has been a part of Montreal-on-the-move for decades - debating whether or not this was meant to be, or was part of the original intent of those who designed the park is pointless. It has become a defacto reality and the mayor's position is arbitrary and corresponds to an overall plan of vehicle elimination for the city.

The pilot project was inconclusive at best, ugly in fact and a failure at its worst. All it managed to do in the months it was in force was create traffic havoc elsewhere in the city. Period. This is nothing to pat oneself on the back over - these results could have been predicted and, in fact, were.It is time to stop allowing academic fungus like Ferrandez to dictate in a capricious and arbitrary manner how the lives of Montreal citizens should be lived. He is not an authority and based on how he is ruining life on the Plateau, hardly an expert. Restore through traffic over the mountain. Restrict it if necessary. Create permanent protected bike lanes, but show respect towards tax-paying citizens who deserve your respect - stop dictating form above how people should live and mover about the city.

KEEP CAR ACCESS ON ALL MOUNT ROYAL ROADS

A special bike lane can be built and the speed limit lowered. However, Montreal drivers should have as much right to use ALL Montreal's roads, as cyclists and pedestrians do. This includes the Mount Royal routes.

The Camillien Houde and Remembrance rd route closures this summer, were horrendous for drivers using this route. It resulted in added driving time and more traffic on alternative routes. This meant MORE pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Very environmentally UNFRIENDLY.

Only very physically fit cyclists and pedestrians, actually used this route.
Does the city of Montreal and Mayor Plante, believe that elite athletes are more important than 'regular' Montrealers? With the road closures, drivers were inconvenienced and penalized. Visitors to the cemetery (many elderly and infirm) were inconvenienced and penalized. Tourists to the city were inconvenienced and penalized. Families were inconvenienced and penalized. Seniors and those with mobility issues, were inconvenienced and penalized.

Given that a majority of Montrealers are still AGAINST these road closures, Mayor Plante and her team SHOULD listen to their citizens and KEEP CAR ACCESS ON MONT ROYAL ROADS.

I AM A MONTREALER, I PAY TAXES, I DRIVE A CAR and it is my RIGHT to have 24/7 - 365 day/year ACCESS to the Mount Royal Routes. Having this right revoked, is DISCRIMINATORY and very poor planning and judgement.

I think the road should remain open to cars and through-traffic all year long. I like to exercise on the mountain and sometimes cycle along the road, but I think convenient public acces to the mountain, especially in summer, should be a priority.

Lower speed limit . Have it patrolled by the police. Put up speed cameras. Have a separate lane for bikes. Monitor and regulate bike speeds and protocol.Remove all the offensive installations that have been put up ( swings , board houses etc)
KEEP THE ROAD OPEN

The road should remain open. It’s a beautiful drive and drivers should not be penalized. If you want to make it safer for bikes make a section for them but put a devider.

My opinion is that the road should remain open year round so that vehicles can pass from one side of the mountain to the other as in previous years. Montreal traffic is bad enough without closing one of the better routes from the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Protected bike and pedestrian lanes (with barriers) would help to protect the safety of bikers and pedestrians.

I actually find that the cyclists are the most dangerous part of the traffic on the mountain as they significantly exceed the speed limit when going downhill (I am on the mountain a lot and it is scary to see how fast these cyclists fly at times.)

I would suggest that there is a period of close monitoring of cyclists and motorists speeds and to enforce the speed limit with ticketing/education/warning signs, etc...

Providing a more frequent shuttle bus service on the mountain would help to reduce traffic.

Thank you for asking for our opinions.

Traffic should be allowed to cross the mountain, but it can be controlled.
A charge could be levied on vehicles passing through the park road area, that is to say on those vehicles that intend to cross the mountain to a destination on the other side. This charge would be similar to the congestion charge levied on vehicles entering central London, UK. In this way, vehicles whose destination is the mountain itself would be charged only for parking. The money raised from this mountain transit fee could be used for park improvements.
It is not possible to physically prevent illegal U-turns to the lookout, because emergency vehicles must be able to make this maneuver. Greater use of camera surveillance can result in more successful prosecutions, which is a deterrent.
It is likely that advances in vehicle and traffic technology will benefit the mountain, its flora and fauna, and citizens through reduced pollution (electric cars) and enhanced safety devices and controls both in the vehicles and around them..
Montreal is home to many creative minds in the area of high technology - let’s work with that, and not resort to concrete barriers and bans.

I want to see options that explore maintaining the roadway open to vehicular traffic. It is possible to share the road safely; this should be improved. It is a more important artery than has been acknowledged; it is used to cross the city as well as access the park and cemetery.

Also, improving public transit or shuttle access would reduce traffic; particularly that of tourists most unfamiliar with the route (at the crucxt of the pilot project)

Camillien Houde Parkway must stay open and shared safely by pedestrians, bicycles, and cars.

Restore it to what it was - open to all, equally.

If you're going to find ways of improving traffic, reduce motorized vehicle use and encourage cycling, look at the island as a whole and build (and communicate!) an overall strategy.

Just targeting the mountain reeks of old-school politics and plain old bullying by insecure local politicians who need headlines.

Regarding attractiveness of the east lookout:

The "restaurant" at the top should be removed. It blares terrible 60-s and 70's music all day, takes up what little parking space there is, and totally destroys the tranquillity of the area. Instead of hearing the birds singing and trees moving in the wind, you hear this horrible music. Also, there is really no need to provide people with food when they are there for a few moments, to enjoy the view from the lookout. A simple cart which was formerly manned by Les Amis de la Montagne is more than enough. Also, the extra garbage created by having the restaurant there is unnecessary.

Regarding accessibility for pedestrians:

I tried to walk across the mountain road from the parking lot at Beaver Lake to Mont Royal Blvd andPark Avenue. I had to walk on the bike path for some of the way and then had to cross the road and walk on the wide shoulder against the traffic, which was not too bad, until I arrived at the area just before the lookout, which is very narrow and there is no place for pedestrians to walk. I was competing with tour buses for the road.

Regarding the "bike path"

In Vancouver, there is a dedicated walking/bike path through Stanley Park that leads to the bridge going to West Vancouver. Pedestrians and cyclists are completely protected by a dedicated path with a barrier, and two way traffic for cars beside it. This could work just as well in Montreal and would provide a safe route for pedestrians and bikes, which was not the case this summer.


Thank you for taking this opinion into consideration. I feel the situation this summer was not safe for anyone.

The mountain roadway should be enjoyed by all. Closing it was a mistake, the reason behind the closure was a bigger mistake. Accidents happen, it was tragic that a life was lost, but that incident should not have been used as a catalyst to push through an agenda and ignore the public opinion.
I use the mountain road, as both a cyclist and a motorist. I can see validity on both sides of this issue, but the roadway must be shared, as with all roadways throughout the city.
The main reason motorist traffic on the mountain has increased, is due to the reduction of east-west roadways, caused by construction; Pine ave is often under construction, as is Sherbrooke & Rene-Levesque. Perhaps completing these works would reduce the traffic. I thought we had created an office just for this purpose?
When cycling I am mindful of cars and avoid using main thoroughfares. When driving I am mindful of cyclists, and give them space. But often I see dangerous tactics by both cyclists & motorists, surprising there are not many more incidents.
To summarize, the mountain road should remain open to all.
Traffic reduction should be accomplished by less congested east-west alternate roads.
Entrance to the lookout should be reviewed, and a way found to make it safely accessible from both directions, perhaps some traffic lights.
Create free or reduced cost public transit to the mountain park, say on weekends only. This would definitely reduce the number of cars using the road and filling up the parking areas.

As a senior citizen, I did not go to the mountain last year for the first time in many years. I always travelled there by car as I have some mobility issues but the stories I heard about the confusion on the road dissuaded me from going this past year. I was also disappointed not to be able to enjoy my city by taking the scenic route across the mountain. While I believe the mountain needs protection and barriers should be installed to prevent u-turns, this summer's solution seems unwarrantedly extreme.

In my opinion, cutting Mount Royal off to traffic all summer was unfair and prioritized elite cyclists over everyone else. We all share Mount Royal and its stunning vistas!

I want Voie Camilien Houde to stay open but with new rules.

Re: use of Voie Camilien Houde:

Closure of this road to car traffic during the pilot project resulted in reduced access to services on Mont Royal for people who are not able to use public transit ie people who are less mobile such as elderly or disabled. Frederick Olmstead's vision for large city parks such as Mont- Royal or Central park in New York was to provide a natural urban environment for everyone, not just extreme sports buff such as the cyclists who race down the hills at 60-70 km/hour, through stop signs, scaring pedestrians and car drivers alike..

Closing the road to through traffic caused traffic chaos at times in the downtown area. I am a firm believer in reducing car traffic in the city but many places in the city are not accessible by public transport..

After the road re-opened i was able to traverse the mountain again and I was overjoyed to take this beautiful route as I drove to a part of the city I could not access by bus and Metro. I drive that route, not because it is faster but because it allows me to enjoy our beautiful city. It was wonderful to see people out walking, hiking, enjoying the park. The cyclists would have been fine, too, if that had slowed down!.

Please do not deny access to a wonderful part of the city to people like me.!

I live in NDG and am against the the road over Mt Royal blocked.

It used to be a pleasure to take visitors to the various lookouts and then go
to the various restaurants and shops in the Plateau area.
Now I don't even think of going there. I'm sure the merchants are also suffering!

I'm 70 with health issues so I'm not about to take the bus or
cycle to the mountain!!

Surely there are traffic measures that could be applied rather than closing
the road. Too much pampering to elite cyclists!!!!!!

I believe Voie Camilien Houde to stay open but with new rules.

Re: alternative routes across the city:
Before attempting to reduce car traffic across the mountain, make active transport, and public transit more feasible.. Until bus routes are more efficient and Metro access universal, there will be too many cars. The city has put “the cart before the horse” in devising this plan for Mont Royal.

There is no need to close this road to through traffic. Please take the example of New York city where road traffic is well constructed and well controlled across Central Par without completely stopping access to cars (https://www.centralpark.com/visitor-info/park-drive-regulations) to allow for safe use of the park by many other users (pedestrians, cyclists, roller-bladers, caleches, baby strollers. New York closes major access roads (eg 72nd street) to car traffic when necessary for public events.

Montreal needs to radically rethink the relationship between cyclists and cars. If Copenhagen can manage a civilized down-town road plan for pedestrians, cyclists and cars, why can't we?

Other large public parks like Mont-Royal have accommodated wildlife –protected areas. Why not here?

Finally, I truly enjoy driving across the mountain when travelling to parts of the city not accessible to me via public transport. Please do not deny access to a wonderful part of the city to people like me !

I had used the park for my entire life (59 years) until the change in the traffic flow, and I have not been to the park since the change in the flow. We (a family of 6) live in NDG, so would normally travel to the park by car. Getting there by public transit just takes way too long. I can bike there in the summer, but this doesn't help me when I want to go cross-country skiing in the winter. The parking lot on the west side is way too small. I also used the cross-mountain road to get to the Plateau on occasion. I really don't see how the new traffic regulations would mitigate traffic, bicycle or pedestrian deaths. They are just as likely to get killed with the new configuration. Yes, this is a park, but there is also a major artery running through this park--just like in Manhattan and Chicago. If these world-class cities can do it, why can't we?

This summer I never visited the park with my family because the restrictions on car traffic and parking made it too difficult.

I live 6 km from the park: it's a 20 minute drive, but at least an hour-long journey one-way by bus. Carrying everything on the bus isn't feasible anyway since I have a spinal injury. (It isn't enough to qualify me as disabled, but it does limit my capabilities.)

Bicycling up the mountain is also not realistic for children.

Please cancel this plan.

I believe that through traffic should be allowed on the mountain. However, pedestrian and cyclist safety is obviously a priority, so I am open to changing the road conditions. For example, slower speed limits, speed bumps, a more windy road, and more traffic lights are all options. I also think that occasionally closing the mountain to traffic is a good idea. Perhaps the first Sunday of the month, or something like that.
The U-turns near the lookout have to be stopped. A longer median is one suggestion, clearer (multilingual) signage is another. Another idea is to install traffic lights at entrance and exit of the lookout, so cars could safely enter and exit from either direction. Or signs at the bottom of the hill could inform motorists that there is no place to turn around until the parking lot at the top, while a sign at the top of the hill could explain that one must go to the bottom of the hill before being able to turn around.
Additional parking adjacent to the mountain for busy weekends is a good idea. Additional bus lines during the summer are also a possibility. A bus from the Atwater metro would be ideal for those in the West End and a bus originating in Old Montreal could target tourists. Such a bus would be heavily promoted in tourist publications.
As for the roadway itself, a clearly marked bike path, separated from the cars with a barrier of some sort, would be welcome.
I am not suggesting that more asphalt be laid across the mountain, but I believe it's important to maintain a through road so that users from all directions can access the various areas of the mountain. People with mobility issues, families with young children, and those with lots of gear for an event in the park need to be able to get as close as possible. Maybe groups such as these could reserve parking spots ahead of time, in a special section of the lots.

Mount-Royal is now LESS accessible than it was before.
No doubt there is LESS congestions on Remembrance-Road / Camillien Houde, but MORE on Côte-des-Neiges, Cedar and Parc. Where is the advantage?
Who is in danger? All the people on one side of Remembrance Road are already dead.
Is there any evidence that the flora and fauna are in danger when the through-ways are open. What are the statistics for road-kill?

Please keep Camillien Houde open to all forms of transportation, including automobiles.

Mount Royal is the heart of Montréal- and chemin Camillien-Houde is the bridge connecting East and West Montréal.

Closing this road effectively cuts the city's heart in two.

I propose charging a toll fee to drive across the mountain- similar to the A25 toll bridge in Laval.

This will reduce traffic while generating revenu for the city.

The money could be used to beautify the mountain and build a fabulous bike path.

Paul Deutschman


En français:

Le Mont Royal est le cœur de Montréal et le chemin Camillien-Houde est le pont reliant l'Est et l'Ouest de Montréal.
 
Fermer cette route c'est couper le cœur de la ville en deux.

Je propose de faire payer un péage pour traverser la montagne en voiture, comme le pont à péage A25 à Laval.

Cela réduira le trafic, tout en générant des revenus pour la ville.

L'argent pourrait être utilisé pour embellir la montagne et construire une piste cyclable fabuleuse.

Paul Deutschman

I am opposed to the closing of the mountain parkways to through traffic. This is one of Montreal's iconic drives. Everyone I know who proudly shows off their magnificent city -- and it is magnificent -- includes a "drive over the mountain" as part of the grand tour. Another concern over the closing is access to the cemeteries. Our cultural reality is most visitors to Mount Royal Cemetery access from the western approach (Remembrance Road).
I do not see any environmental issue here. The traffic is limited to a single, largely two-lane roadway , leaving huge areas of the park in peaceful harmony with nature. Moreover, trucks have never been permitted on this route, and this is is a key reason the route is not invasive to the park's atmosphere.
Regarding safety:
- Set the general speed limit at 40 km/h, and 30 km/h from below the Voie Camillien-Houde lookout to below the cemetery entrance. Install a coupleof speed cameras. Put in a cement median along this same stretch, to prevent U-turns.
- Create a separate bike path on the west /north side of Voie Camillien-Houde
- Put a cyclist/pedestrian crossing with stop sign and flashing red lights at the Camillien-Houde lookout
Regarding access:
- The parkways are essential
- Add a free shuttle bus on weekends, from supplementary parking lots and from downtown, and maybe from Le Plateau as well
Please abandon the plan to close the parkways permanently to through traffic. Make it safe by enforcing the speed limit and building a bike path.
Everyone I know feels the same way.
merci,
Matthew Elder

Keep the road open. as an avid cyclist I use the road both on my bike and in my car and do not feel that cars are generally an issue. You can make a divider all the way to Mount Royal for extra safety. No need to create extra traffic issues in the rest of the city by closing this road. there is enough traffic issues without creating a new one!