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

I believe that traffic should be restricted so that people do not wish to use the mountain as a shortcut or a way to get somewhere faster. This could be done by narrowing the road, reducing the speed limit (with speed cameras), or traffic lights.
However, the road should be kept open in both directions for its full length, so that Montrealers and tourists who wish to enjoy the park have full access, to the roadway, to both parking lots and to both cemeteries. (I like to drive over the mountain once or twice a year just to see the views - this summer that was not possible.)

Good day, I have no problem with Camillien Houde roadway being open as it was before. The day that it was closed to through traffic, I was at the intersection of Cote-Vertu and Cavendish blvd. at around 5 p.m. when a cyclist ran his red light and passed in front of me with the middle finger royal salute. He was just lucky that I am not such a fast driver when the light changes.

I understand that the driver on Camillien-Houde that was in an accident with a cyclist ignored the "no-u-turn" sign when he/she hit the cyclist. I don't feel that this necessitated the complete closure of the roadway to through-traffic. There are many "ghost" cycles in Montreal--yet, the traffic continues on the streets.

Thank you for letting me express my thoughts.

Frances Hohn

I think automobile through traffic is an important east-west route and should be maintained.

Although I rarely must use it, when I need to it is far more efficient than other routes around the mountain.

If cars are forced to use the alternative routes (Penfield or Cote St Catherine), there is more stopping and starting and hence more noise and pollution.

I believe that there should be traffic lights on the road that are synchronized at a low speed (like Rockland road) cars would then move slowly without stopping often and hence decrease pollution.

A separate bicycle lane could be built with concrete separator which would keep bicyclists safe. This is done in many places particularly the Netherlands.

Closing off through traffic, but leaving both sides open is absurd and benefits nobody other than people who like to walk on the road or cyclists who are anti automobile.

Closing Mount Royal to through traffic solves absolutely nothing except to create a problem for people wanting to access the cemeteries or the mountain itself. It created a geographical divide between the city's east and west ends. I use the road over the mountain as my commute home in the afternoon from work which affords me a scenic and relaxing drive. When the mountain was closed to through traffic my peaceful commute went from a 30 minute drive to a one hour nightmare of zigzagging through city streets trying to find the route with the least amount of traffic. This meant that I spent 25 to 30 minutes extra running time in my car. I have been commuting to work for 38 years and this is the very first time I have arrived home feeling aggravated and stressed. This is neither an effective commute and in terms of pollution, idling cars add inestimable damage.

I have a series of solutions: First of all the spandex clad cyclists and others of their ilk need to learn the basic rules of the road and police need to enforce those rules. Second, a cement median should be installed from Smith House all the way to boul. Mont-Royal. There is plenty of asphalt real estate to created a protected bicycle path on both sides of the road. Couple that with a few well placed stop signs, traffic calming measures and better police presence. Most significantly both motorists and cyclists who choose to navigate the mountain road recklessly should be fined accordingly, only once money is extracted from their pockets, perhaps will they begin to act responsibly and as the old expression goes "learn to play well with others". After all the mountain is for everyone not just the elite few who feel entitled.

First and foremost, I must protest the orientation of the questions. There is an underlying tone that implies closing access to cars is the option Valérie Plante and her colleagues have already concluded is what is required. The fact that this consultation process occurred after this summer’s experiment further convinces me that the decision is a foregone conclusion. This is an undemocratic.
In addition, the option Valérie Plante plans for the mountain assumes that the users of the mountain are relatively young and physically active. It considers those who live downtown and not those who have from the east and west island. Urban dwellers who want to impose their vision on all.
I used to live close to the mountain when I was in my early 30’s. As the mountain was close by, I could walk to the top easily and did so on many occasions and in all seasons.
I am now in my middle 60’s and I no longer live close to the mountain although I still live downtown. My knees are not great and standing still for even short periods of time causes a lot of pain and is the worst thing for me. The idea of waiting for a bus for even 5 minutes in order to access the mountain would hinder me from using this option. I would not consider taking a bus to the mountain for these reasons and I am sure the same holds true for other seniors, parents of small children, the handicapped, among others.
Transit traffic (through-traffic)
I think there should be car access, bicycle access and pedestrian access to the mountain at all times.
When I have driven over the mountain I have witnessed many cyclists speeding down the mountain with no regard for motorists or pedestrians. In the summer it was the only way for me to have access to nature as well as a long distance view that you cannot have in a small home downtown.
Through-traffic on the mountain should NOT be banned.
Park road
A park road is for everyone to access and cross the mountain.
The only time access to the mountain should be restricted is in case of extreme weather (such as the ice storm).
Sharing the road
There needs to be separation of bicycle and car lanes.
A speed limit should be applied to both cars and cyclists.
Speed bumps could be installed in both directions to assure that all cars and bicycles SLOW DOWN. Not just for motor vehicles, but also bicycles. This is in addition to the Stop signs.
There should be a physical median that prevents U-turns to those leaving the lookout or entering the look-out.
There should be a physically defined bike path.
There should be a safer way for pedestrians to cross to and from the cemetery to the park.
Public transit
With my knee issues, assuring the bus passes more frequently. Maximum wait time 5 minutes. A shuttle bus connecting with Park Avenue / Mont-Royal streets for those who can use the buses would be useful.
A shuttle bus connecting with the Côte-de-Neiges metro on the blue line / Mont-Royal streets for those who can use the buses would also be useful.
Parking
The number of parking spaces should be maintained. Just because the lots are full on weekends, and empty during the week does not require the numbers be reduced.
There is mostly street parking surrounding the mountain and there are almost no public parking lots near the mountain (UdeM, Oratoire). I do not think a shuttle bus would work for this
Ban mountain bikes on the paths. They create havoc on the weekends when pedestrians want to use the delightful paths in the woods.
Universal accessibility / New layouts for roadways
How can we ensure universal accessibility? What should be done first?
1. There should be a physical median that prevents U-turns to those leaving the lookout or entering the look-out.
2. Speed bumps could be installed in both directions to assure that all cars and bicycles SLOW DOWN. This is in addition to the Stop signs.
3. A speed limit should be applied to both cars and cyclists.
4. There needs to be physical separation of bicycle and car lanes. There should be a physically defined bike path
Landscape, heritage and attractiveness
Remove the granite stumps. They are ugly and a reminder of wasted money. Increase teh number of park benches.
Do you have any suggestions to highlight this emblematic site?
I think simplest is best. The mountain is beautiful.
Declare the mountain to be a Heritage site
Ban all construction above a certain height in the surrounding areas (i.e. the project on the corner of Bleury and Ste-Catherine) in order to assure that tall towers do not would obstruct the view of the mountain from afar.
It is wonderful to see the mountain from the east, west, south and north as one enters the city, walks up Mountain, from the McGill campus, etc. For me it signals arriving home.

Access roads to the park
The exit from the mountain to Côte-de-Neiges is dangerous in both directions. Cars do not yield and the visibility of approaching traffic is almost nil. A reconfiguration of this access, with traffic lights is a must – as the modification of Parc Avenue as it meets Pine Avenue had greatly increased safety and access to the view of the mountain.
Environment
Mountain bike access to the paths off the main paved or gravelled paths should be banned. Pedestrians access the small paths at their peril. It is dangerous but also is very hard on the trees, ferns and other plants.
Feeding racoons, squirrels, chipmunks should be forbidden. I have sat down for a snack with my daughter at the picnic tables and were surrounded by squirrels as soon as we took out the granola bar from my backpack. We could not sit and enjoy the snack. Most unpleasant.
The city should invest in garbage containers that have lids heavy enough that racoons and squirrels cannot open them. All the rest stops along Highway 87 New York state have these. These apparently assist in cleanliness and keeping the wildlife out.
Invest in more money in tree planting on a regular basis (increase what is currently spent).
Support Amis de la montagne in all their projects. They have been concerned about the mountain for many years and their ideas represent a global vision of how to develop the mountain.
In conclusion, I would encourage the consideration of all users in all plans to develop and protect the mountain and not just the young and athletic.

I believe that through traffic should be allowed. The route is beautiful and it is a meditation of beauty and respite in the bustle of the city. The trees in greenery in the summer, the beauty of winter on the mountain. It is a gift. The route is open to everyone, including tourists that would not do so otherwise. It is a beautiful way to show Montreal to the world.
I often take out of town guests over the mountain during the day and during the night. I believe that cars should be allowed year round. I believe in climate change and our need to do something. There are other ways that Montreal can be a leader in environmental concerns that will have greater impact than closing the mountain road to traffic.

Good day,

I believe that the Camillien-Houde Way – Remembrance road should remain open to all vehicular road traffic as it always has been.

It is an important artery for navigating across the city. As this responsible administration no doubt already knows, we are presently afflicted with a major circulation problem. To close this means of east-west displacement to vehicles, owned by tax-paying and law-abiding citizens, would be irresponsible and disruptive. The life-blood of the city – its people – would be, once again, confronted with another major obstacle in terms of transportation. Self-inflicted indeed.

It is incorrect to close this area to vehicles due to the illegal and thoughtless behaviour of one driver.

Montreal is plagued with four glaring problems in terms of circulation. Unfortunately, these problems stem from a systemically negligent administrative institution that cannot plan or learn in any coherent manner:

1) Consistently negligent and whimsical investments in road and transport infrastructure – spanning decades. The entire network of roads, bike paths, etc. is an embarrassment and dangerous.

2) An absolutely wanton disregard by both vehicular and bike drivers for what are clear traffic rules.

3) A police force – for whom the public has little regard – who do virtually nothing to actually enforce traffic and bike circulation rules. The rules are already clear, but the police do nothing or are nowhere to be seen.

4)Signage is unclear and chaotic as well.

Enforcement, sensitization, new regulations are required. A clear, sober, uncorrupted and objective review of Montreal’s cumulative transport needs is required. The closure of this major east-west artery – in the present context, when Montrealer’s simply can no longer get around – is not.

Sadly I don't feel that this submission, or the hundreds of others, will have much effect, as I feel that M. Ferrandez has already made up his mind. Still ...

I have lived in the Plateau for almost 40 years. During that time I have enjoyed being able to drive across the mountain to my place of work. Initially this was a wonderful slow drive. I could appreciate the change of seasons, the peace and the beauty. Then someone on the radio or in the newspapers suggested that this was a shortcut, and faster drivers started to interfere with my peaceful drive. An increased police presence probably would have stopped these speed freaks, but nothing happened. Then there was an increase of spandex clothed cyclists who used the road as a training ride, and wove in and out of the traffic dangerously. Far from being a route that the average cyclist would take to enjoy the view, the ride up the mountain can only be achieved by someone in very good shape!

So, then they closed the road. I could no longer drive through the cemetery and check on the family grave on my way home from work. I could no longer pick visitors up from the airport and drive them over the mountain and boast of this wonderful haven in the middle of the city. My older neighbours could no longer reach their family graves in the cemetery that they liked to visit regularly. Younger neighbours who liked to picnic with family at the weekend, found it more and more difficult to do this, and gave up trying.

The city in its wisdom even blocked off Penfield so that the only way to get from one side of the mountain to the other was either Sherbrooke (gridlock) or Edouard Montpetit, past the University of Montreal, where far more student cyclists were at risk than any cyclist crossing the mountain!

So what has closing off the road done? Made it more difficult for my older neighbours to access it. Contributed to the already overweening arrogance of competitive cyclists who behaved so dangerously that the cemeteries had to ban cyclists completely, so that now even cycling for pleasure has become more limited.

By all means enforce the speed limit, ticket speeding drivers and irresponsible cyclists, but please leave the road open, and find more creative ways to ensure that all Montrealers and our visitors have access to the mountain.

Maybe the road could be open Monday to Friday to help commuters, at least until most of the construction has ended. Weekends most people have a little extra time to spend getting to their destination. That is also the time that you may want to see less traffic to benefit from a better park experience.

It is a great injustice to deny access to our mountain to everyone, except for a few cyclists.
What about people who do not bike? What about the elderly, the handicapped, the young who do not enjoy biking, the list goes on and on.

This is our mountain and it belongs to everyone.
There are simple methods to make it safe for all to enjoy, including those of us who are now deprived of a leisurely drive over the central mountain of our city.

It is dictatorial to prevent citizens the choice to cross their own city in a way that hurts no-one if done safely.

We really missed the mountain these past six months.
Our whole family has not been able to see it or drive it or enjoy it. That's a democracy? Terrible!

Never ever did Montreal seem so small and stupid.
New York City has a gorgeous park and there are roads that pass through it.

Small minded, limited thinking, and destructive is the most accurate way to describe this method.
The dumb bureaucrats that blocked people from freely enjoying and moving through the east and west of the city need to listen to the majority. This is not democratic, nor moral, nor right!

GIVE US BACK OUR MOUNTAIN!
AND THE RIGHT TO DRIVE THROUGH!

We feel that the roadway should be open to all. The roadway has long been a part of our Montreal experience which we cherish and feel can be protected by all of us including we motorists.
Traffic could be slowed somewhat by adding stop signs on the East side of the mountain towards Av. Mont Royal.

I do not approve of closing the road through the mountain. While the experiment certainly reduced the number of cars going on the mountain, it also reduced the accessibility for a number of residents and visitors to Montreal. Many people are not able to use public transportation or to walk great distances due to age or disability. Also, it makes it more difficult for families ( especially those with small children) to visit the park. It is possible -and desirable- to make the area safer for all users. Surely less drastic ways can be employed to calm traffic, and make the road safer. Perhaps dedicated lanes for bicycles, pedestrians, and cars for instance, with barriers if need be. Also, reduce speed limits, and enforce them. Make U-turns impossible by erecting concrete barriers. There are many many options instead of closing the road to all vehicular traffic.

The first statement in the documentation starts: "
Accessibility for the entire community is at the very heart of the design of the Parc du Mont-
Royal, one of North America’s seven major urban parks, created by famous landscape
architect Frederick Law Olmsted, in 1876. In fact, as he designed all these parks, Olmsted
was guided by the principle that everyone should be able to access the experience."

By not allowing cars to pass all the way across the mountain you are limiting the access to many people who cannot walk from one part of the mountain to the other. This includes families with young children, disabled people, elderly people, and even many more Montrealers when the weather is bad and they cannot walk from one part of the mountain to the other. Lack of access to the cemetery is also a major problem. Mr. Olmsted's wish that "everyone should be able to access the experience" is therefore not being fulfilled.

Closing the mountain to through traffic was an extreme and excessive action to be taken. If cyclist and pedestrian safety is at the core of the decision, other methods can be used to help ensure a safer environment for all.

In addition to the accessibility of all parts of the mountain, the traffic chaos caused by closing a major east-west link has been major. This is not only frustrating to Montrealers trying to conduct their daily business, but to tourists who come to Montreal to enjoy the city, not to sit in their cars in traffic tie-ups. I myself have had numerous out-of-towners stay with me with summer who will not even go downtown due to the traffic nightmare. Just think of the tourist dollars being lost.

The pilot project was a failure and should not be continued. Open up the mountain to all through traffic again, PLEASE.

In my view it was a big mistake on your part to undertake the pilot project first and ask for feedback afterwards. Consulting the public, as you are doing now, would have been the best approach right from the start. Rather than banning cars from crossing over the mountain, the road should b e made safe for all users to share the road safely. This can be done by reducing the speed limit for cars on Remembrance Road and Camillien-Houde Way to 30 kms per hour and making dedicated bike paths and pedestrian paths. And, of course, no U-Turns anywhere!

In addition, the system of movement (entry and exit) in and around the car parks needs some serious adjustment as it is nothing short of chaotic in its current form.

I believe we can make this work - together.

I consider it acceptable to allow through traffic on the mountain at all times. In order to enable those people with disabilities to enjoy the mountain, along with people alone or in groups. Also to allow those people living to the west of the road to visit the cemetery directly. Only cyclists who are very fit are able to use this road.

Since the writing on the map is only in French it is difficult for those people not fluent in French to understand it.

The safety of all users of the road should be considered.

Dear Public Consultation Committee,

While I am in general positive on the increasingly augmented accessibility and interest for cyclists across our city and province over the last 10+ years, I do feel that removing vehicular accessibility across our mountain is actually going a little far. If your goal is to really annoy car owners in Montreal, well, you will be achieving this. Not all of us have the choice to ride a bicycle to get our errands done effectively and efficiently, and return to our homes off the island (Montérégie, which includes a larger area from Vaudreuil-Soulanges to Brome-Missisquoi to Pierre de Saurel), North of the island, etc. Occasionally crossing over the mountain to save time / travel is very helpful, as well as a pleasant break in the green environment for a car owner. We would love to park, walk up or cycle up the mountain (I used to for many years as I lived downtown) but real life kicks in and that is not feasible for many. The whole downtown area is chaotic due to modified lanes embracing car-free bicycling paths and has reduced lane widths and reduced parking space. AS you know, a negative result has been that many shops have suffered from reduced access to their locations from their clients.

Cycling is great, but many drivers just feel that cyclists are really taking over the city, at their expense. Montreal has become a dangerous environment for a regular Joe driver. One has to look in 5 directions to secure a safe turn on many streets in the city. Many cyclists also take many chances, expect the world to stop for them.

I would urge you to NOT remove access to drive over the mountain on a permanent basis.

Many thanks for inviting our opinions.

I am an enthusiastic senior citizen cyclist who also walks on the mountain but think that the restrictions of the past summer were terrible. The mountain road should remain open for automobile traffic for reasons that have been articulated by many people prior to this submission.

While it is very sad that a cyclist was killed on the mountain road, it was a tourist making a U-turn that caused the death. Among the steps that could be taken are: a large BILINGUAL sign that can be understood by the many tourists stating: "NO U-TURNS. CYCLISTS TRAINING" with a graphic of a bicycle striking a vehicle and the posting of the amount of a large fine for contravening the law. Another option is to extend the concrete dividers that separate the two directions so that a driver must go well beyond the entrance and exit of the lookout area. (They did not extend far enough to eliminate cheating).


The mountain is a major tourist attraction. Signs related to both safety and enjoyment of the mountain should be in at least both of Canada's official languages and, if it is feasible, additional languages in order to make tourists feel welcome.

Keep the Camillien-Houde road open to traffic all year round!!!

1. Camillien Houde is a perimeter road, not a through road. Traffic on it has little impact on the enjoyment of the Mountain - I walk on the Mountain weekly.

2. Banning traffic in the interests of cyclists (I am one) benefits the wealthy owners of carbon fibre bikes, and diminishes access for ordinary working families who enjoy visiting and picnicking there.

3. MY SUGGESTION (as an economics professor at Concordia).
* Lower speed limits
* Install some speed bumps or other speed-reduction mechanisms

** Implement an electronic toll linked to the City's parking app. A price of $1 or $2 would be an automatic means of reducing traffic, while not actually preventing traffic from using the road. A camera at each ascent would record vehicle movements. Drivers could pay on their parking app - or pay a penalty just as they do now if they infringe the parking laws.

Thanks you for your consideration. Ian I.

Dear OCPM,

There is almost nothing "right" about the current configuration on Camillien Houde Way. The pilot project to close the route to traffic addressed none of these concerns and achieved none of the claimed goals.

There once were two divided road surfaces from Cote des Neiges to the Smith House. We scrapped one and forced the cyclists to share the single and slightly narrow road surface with cars and fill size buses. No where in the developed world are societies continuing to force cyclists on to such road surfaces.

Fix it and bring back a divided road surface with one surface reserved cyclists.

After spending a glorious stop at the famous lookout, tourists drive down the east slope and see a long row of temporary construction dividers often called "Jerseys". Ugly and not fully functional as they only protect one curve on the descent.

Fix it and build a proper, decent looking, divider that goes from the lookout to Mount Royal Boulevard. Clearly we can't rely on motorists or cyclists to refrain from make illegal u-turns along the route.

Debris is washed on to the road surface after heavy rains, forcing cyclists to wander off the paved shoulder and in the traffic lanes, again, shared by full size STM and tourists buses!

Fix it once and for all build proper curbs that will hold back this constant stream of debris on to the road surface. The road is wide enough in the Mount Royal Boulevard to the lookout section to build a second curb to separate the cyclists and the motorists. That is the right thing to do and what is being done in most of the developed world.

Cyclists often decent the mountain at twice the posted speed limit, or more. As we now know, sometimes with disastrous results.

Fix it and build small speed bumps on the descent. If this were motorists constantly driving twice the posted speed limit in a park zone, there would be speed bumps! Protect the cyclists from themselves, install modest speed bumps on the two decedents. Mount Royal is a national urban treasure for all the citizens and tourists to enjoy, not an Olympic style training ground for the select few.

Closing the route to car traffic does not produce some wonderful environmental step forward. It pushed overload levels of traffic, burdening streets like Pins, which became a parking lot as cars idled in traffic and created even more overall pollution as a result of longer idle times. Adding to this, the relocation of the STM bus stop for tourists and Montrealers alike boarding at the Smith House could not have been placed in a worse spot. While people board the bus, cars line up behind it creating artificial traffic jams as the opportunity to continue on the route during boarding has been removed by the poor placement of the bus stop. This also stresses the bus riders as some feel they must board quickly as traffic piles up waiting on them.

Fix it and move the bus stop so STM buses can pull off the main road surface, allowing the flow of traffic to continue and reduce the noise and pollution on the mountain by ending those ties up.

I visited my parents at Mount Royal cemetery far less than usual last summer. The restricted access, with the only permitted entrance being via Mount Royal Boulevard, has turned visiting the cemetery in to an entirely different ordeal. My parents wanted to buried on Mount Royal because of its unique, serene and yet still completely accessible grounds. The city has removed the accessible element to a 16 year old Monteal. There is only one entrance exit to the entire cemetery!

Remove the invisible fence that was created by this pilot project to reserve this national treasure of a park for the select few from adjacent boroughs that are blessed to be able to walk to the park. Mount Royal was created with the dream of being inclusive park for all Montrealers, from the large Filipino family BBQs we often see on weekends, to families strolling the cemetery, cyclists, sunbathers near Beaver Lake and lovers who walk the small trails of the mountain to escape the city density albeit for a brief moment.

Mount Royal is the centre piece of the city, and yet Camillien Houde Way could not be designed worse. Can we please take the time and spend the money to do this right and make all Montrealers proud and keep it accessible to all Montrealers.


If we can not rework Camillien Houde Way to the benefit of all Montrealers, we have totally failed as a society and we may as well begin building borough border walls and divide communities.

This was not Frederick Law Olmstead's dream for Montreal's crown jewel park.

Reduce and slow traffic but don’t ban it. Whether we like it or not, cars are required for some people to access and enjoy Mount Royal Park and to pay respects to loved ones at Mount Royal Cemetery. Stop signs, speed bumps etc. are no problem, in fact, would be welcome.

Infavour of allowing cars all year round.Park Access---For cyclists,use current system but add permanent concrete barriers for additional safety.Construct sidewalk (only 1 side req'd) for pedestrians.Public Transit----Remain as is (if demand requires, add additional buses when req'd.Parking------Consider additional space between the 2 existing parking areas.If not a feasible option,overflow at these few peek periods,then people can park on streets at base of mountain and either walk or take bus up.

Have certain hours where access is granted to cars that way we all share responsibility and it’s not permanently blocked.
I find that the ocpm comes up with all kinds of ideas but does not really go through the reality of the implementation throwing the city in to further chaos... this is not a communist country where the thoughts of the people who live and pay the taxes here don’t matter... we are in this together... don’t forget that.

I would like to see through traffic all year round. There could be an exception where through traffic denied Monday to Friday during rush hours with signage and/or police presence. The cyclists need a procected lane and should not be cycling with the cars and busses because the east side is steep and therefore easy for them to lose control. U-turns need to be addressed with barriers in the road.unfortunately because of limited parking on the west side I only managed to go to mont royal once this summer. I think everyone should be taken into consideration when planning changes to our city. Seniors, dog walkers, family’s with coolers strollers etc..and of course cyclists. Thank- you

More consultation is needed. Complete closure of Camillien Houde in the summer months is an excessive move.
Please find another way.